Jōmon Japan: Prehistoric Culture and Society

Re-created buildings at the Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site in Aomori Prefecture. (Courtesy Sannai Maruyama Jōmon Culture Center)

The Ōyu Stone Circles in Kazuno, Akita Prefecture. (Courtesy Kazuno Board of Education)

A stone used as a solar clock at the Ōyu Stone Circles. (Courtesy Kazuno Board of Education)

An ōkangata (crown-shaped) pot designated as a natural treasure excavated from the Sasayama Site in Tōkamachi, Niigata Prefecture. (Courtesy Tōkamachi City Museum)

A container with spiral patterns excavated from a site in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. (Courtesy Morioka Archeological Site Study Museum)

A pot with a design depicting childbirth excavated from the Tsugane-goshomae Site in Yamanashi Prefecture. (Courtesy Hokuto Board of Education)

The “Jōmon Venus,” a dogū figurine of a pregnant woman designated as a national treasure, excavated from the Tanabatake Archaeological Site in Nagano Prefecture. (Courtesy Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum)

Jade and other jewels excavated from the Sakai A Archaeological Site in Toyama Prefecture. (Courtesy Toyama Prefectural Center for Archaeological Operations)

Lacquered ornaments excavated from grave 119 at the Karinba Archaeological site in Hokkaidō. (Courtesy Eniwa City Historical Museum)