Large Jomon period clam processing site found

Tweet Date: 1/22/18

Article Date: 1/22/18

Article Publisher: The Japan Times

Article Link: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/22/national/rare-prehistoric-shell-mound-aichi-japan-suggests-possible-mid-jomon-shell-trade/#.W1QWtdL-iUl

Location: Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture

Site Name: Sakatsuji Shell Midden

Time Period: Latter half of Middle Jomon Period apx 4500 yrs ago

Object: Clam Processing Site

Why is this interesting/important? Researchers excavating the Sakatsuji Shell Midden site, part of the Muro shell midden cluster, found 55 furnace-like features at the mound. The mound is apx 1.6 m tall, 6m wide, and 24m long, and there did not appear to be any residences near the mound, indicating that the individuals working at the location lived elsewhere. The large amount of clams processed at the site appeared to be more than would normally be consumed, possibly indicating that clams were a trade item in the region.