Humans coexisted with nature for 10,000 years

Humans and nature coexisted for more than 10,000 years in the Jomon culture, a highly rare phenomenon in world history.

The recent recommendation that the Jomon archaeological sites in Hokkaido and the northern Tohoku region be added to the World Cultural Heritage list is an acknowledgment of that achievement.

During the Jomon period, the Japanese

archipelago was divided into several cultural regions. In particular, Hokkaido and the northern Tohoku region had abundant beech-covered forests and ocean waters where warm and cold currents converged.

The Jomon people utilized such plants as chestnuts and walnuts, as well as plenty of fish and shellfish in their daily life.

They also adapted to climate change and settled here without shifting to agriculture. This differs from Western history, in which people settled down alongside a transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and livestock farming.

Recognizing that World Heritage sites have placed a disproportionate emphasis on Western palaces and churches, UNESCO is increasing its registration of prehistoric sites. The recognition of the Jomon archaeological sites will have great significance.

The 17 sites reflect changes in the Jomon period from the use of pottery to the formation of large communities and the development of graves and clay figurines. However, the state of conservation varies from site to site.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites has deemed nearby roads and other structures as “unsuitable” and called on local residents to reduce their impact on the World Heritage sites, a request that may affect the daily lives of people there. It will be important for municipalities to work together to advocate the value of preservation and gain the understanding of local communities. (May 28)