Tsutomu SODA2) A very important problem for Quaternary research is determining when human beings first settled the Japanese islands. Recently many artifacts of the Early Paleolithic age, dating from before 30,000 years ago, have been discovered in the northern part of Sendai plain, North Japan. The age of these artifacts has been determined mainly by radiometric dating methods. On the other hand, tephrochronology is an effective technique for establishing Quaternary stratigraphy in the Japanese islands and their surrounding area. The author investigated the age of horizons bearing artifacts on representative sites of that age from the viewpoint of tephrochronology. The stratigraphy of proximal tephra layers is indicated in Fig. 1. Useful widespread tephra layers for chronological study of this area are Toya (ca.
As debates about the late Pleistocene human occupation of northeast Asia continue, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) prehistory of Hokkaido becomes more relevant. A geoarchaeological evaluation of key sites on the island will provide important evidence to understand human adaptive responses to LGM environments. Kawanishi‐C is located on the middle terrace of the Satsunai River, eastern Hokkaido. Previous salvage excavations totaling 5756 m2 revealed three archaeological layers in eolian sediments: (1) an early Jomon component above the Ta‐d tephra (∼7000 cal. yr B.P.), (2) a microblade component between the Ta‐d and En‐a tephras (∼15,000 cal. yr B.P.), and (3) a blade/flake‐based assemblage between the En‐a and Spfa‐1 tephras (27,000–25,000 cal. yr B.P.). Integration of geoarchaeological investigations and statistical analysis of the artifacts’ spatial distribution indicates that the relatively low energy eolian matrix preserved the site's behavioral context, though some post‐depositional agent, such as frost heaving, may have slightly displaced the artifacts vertically.
In order to better understand modern human behavioral variability in Hokkaido, Japan, we consider the geoarchaeology of the Kamihoronai-Moi site in terms of its geochronology, stratigraphy, depositional environments, and post-depositional disturbances. A Paleolithic component is stratigraphically situated between the Eniwa-a (15,000-17,000 14 C yr B.P.) and the Tarumae-d (8000-9000 14 C yr B.P.) tephras. Moreover, six AMS 14 C ages on charcoal from a Pleistocene-aged hearth feature are between 14,400 and 14,800 14 C yr B.P. Quantitative examinations of patterns in artifact distributions show a low degree of vertical and horizontal displacement of chipped-stone artifacts, suggesting that post-depositional movement of the cultural material was insufficient to disrupt the original pattern of artifact distribution.
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