On Some “Early Palaeolithic” Evidence of Japan – A Personal Observation

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper is a brief summary report of observations concerning the “Early Palaeolithic” problem of Japan. The existence of the “Early Palaeolithic” in Japan can be discussed with chronological and stratigraphic evaluation of the relevant sites and artifacts. Several key sites—Sozudai, Hoshino, Mukoyama, Gongenyama, Kiribara, Yamanoderayama and Fujiyama—are re-evaluated in terms of their lithic artifact composition, site formation, and their geological contexts. Notwithstanding that all of the suggested candidates are not to be genuine Japanese “Early Palaeolithic,” there is no reason to neglect the existence of early materials since the Japanese archipelago had been connected to the mainland Asia on and off to provide plenty of chances for early hominids to move into. Being covered by deep layers of volcanic materials, perhaps such earlier archaeological data are to be found; especially, specimens from the Akagi Mountain area shed a strong light on the possibility that the “Early Paleolithic” evidence will be found in the future, or that at least earlier sequence of Japanese palaeolithic would not be much different from that of neighboring areas.

참고문헌 (Reference)

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