境田貝塚, Archaeological site and park in Tsuzuki Ward, Japan
The Sakaida Shell Mound is an archaeological site in Tsuzuki Ward containing layered deposits of ancient shells, pottery shards, and stone tools. The area combines excavation zones with an adjacent park, making both the buried remains and the surrounding landscape visible to visitors.
The shell mound formed from accumulated kitchen refuse over many generations, documenting human settlements from two major periods of Japanese prehistory. Its layers tell of gradual changes in how people lived and the tools they made.
The shell mound reveals details about ancient daily life through discovered bones and pottery, showing how people depended on the sea for food and resources. These objects offer visitors today a direct window into routines and meals from prehistoric times.
The site can be explored via marked pathways, though certain areas remain closed for preservation. Good footwear is recommended, and signs help guide visitors through the different zones of the site.
Visitors can sometimes observe ongoing excavations at the site, watching how archaeologists carefully extract information from soil layers. This direct view of research in progress makes understanding the past feel tangible and real.
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