Ofune Site

Hakodate, Japan

The Ōfune Site (大船遺跡, Ōfune iseki) is an archaeological site consisting of a series of large shell middens and the remains of an adjacent settlement from the Jōmon period. 

The Ōfune Site was a community with over 100 pit dwellings, including smaller family homes and some larger homes that were inhabited from 3500 BC to 2000 BC. The dates of the site's habitation correspond to the early and middle Jōmon period of Japanese history. The community was positioned alongside the Pacific Ocean, enabling easy access to fishing and whaling grounds and providing an avenue for the site's people to trade extensively with other communities in the Tōhoku region. Pottery from the Tōhoku region and central Hokkaido was found in the sites burial mound, providing basis for the site's function as a trade center.

The Ōfune Site was discovered during surveying work in 1996. Initial discoveries included a large pit dwelling, embankments, and a storage pit.

The Ōfune Site is one of the Jōmon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidō, Northern Tōhoku, and other regions, a group of Jōmon period archaeological sites in Hokkaido and northern Tōhoku that was recommended by Japan in 2020 for inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage List, under criteria iii and iv. The submission currently resides on the Tentative List.

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Hakodate, Japan
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Founded: 3500-2000 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Japan

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Artur Kulczynski (11 months ago)
This is a very interesting archeological site. Great stop during the drive along there coast.
MMT1206 (2 years ago)
It is one of the World Heritage "Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku". These are ruins from 5,500 to 4,000 years ago. It is roughly the same age as the Sannai-Maruyama site in Aomori Prefecture. The characteristic is the depth of the pit. More than 100 pit dwellings dug down to a depth of about 2m have been confirmed. Since whale bones, tuna bones, shellfish, and chestnuts have been unearthed, it is presumed that the area was rich in resources at that time.
関清志 (2 years ago)
Visited on October 10, 2022. 3500 BC to 2000 BC, Jomon ruins centered on the middle Jomon period. The remains of pit dwellings were rebuilt many times and were excavated so as to overlap. The number is about 120, and the pits are deeper than other areas. In addition, it was found that the characteristics of the temple, such as the presence or absence of indoor ritual facilities, the shape of the pit, the number of main pillars, etc., were divided and changed over time. The remains of an embankment have also been found nearby. As traces of burning fires and human bones were also found, it is believed that this was a sending place accompanied by faith. In addition, since a large number of stone plates have been excavated, it is believed that the area was blessed with food resources. Personally, I felt that the Jomon transgression progressed in the middle period, the food situation improved with global warming, and the population increased and settlement progressed. In addition, it is considered that the cold season has entered and the village has reached its end. As for the large number of stone plates, I imagined that depending on the vegetation at the time, it might be evidence that fiber was actively extracted from plants and produced. I felt that many of the stone crowns excavated from the ruins in Hokkaido had a simpler form.
パンダ (2 years ago)
I stopped by because I had a lot of trouble, but it was a great answer! ! It was a beautiful day, so the scenery was even better. It's a strange feeling to be able to see the ruins of the Jomon period. It was nice to see it for free! It was around 14:00 on Sunday, but there were only a few people and it was very easy to see!
shimemaru plus (2 years ago)
It was registered as a World Heritage Site, so I visited it. Unlike other historic sites of this era, I think it has a unique feeling of making a turret after digging deeply. Also, in terms of location, it is a place where a resort campsite can be built now on a hill overlooking the sea. How beautiful was the Asahi seen from here at that time? It's exciting just to imagine.
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