Futatsumori Site, Shell mound archaeological site in Shichinohe, Japan
Futatsumori Site is an archaeological zone spread across elevated terrain with remains of ancient settlements and extensive shell deposits on different slopes. The location includes reconstructed pit dwellings, walking trails, and a museum displaying pottery and tools from excavations.
The site developed into one of northern Japan's largest shell mound settlements between 5,500 and 4,000 years ago during the Jomon period. This lengthy occupation makes it a key record of early Japanese society.
The recovered artifacts show whale bone tools and antler combs that reveal skilled craftsmanship and trade connections with distant regions. These objects help visitors understand how the inhabitants lived and interacted with neighboring groups.
The site has marked walking trails through the grounds and an exhibition hall with information about discoveries. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is uneven with varying slopes and paths.
The shell layers reveal environmental shifts over millennia, with ocean shells in deeper deposits and brackish water shells in upper layers showing coastal changes. These transformations document how climate and sea levels shifted in this region.
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