A Database of Pictorial Evidence of Aquatic Animals and Fishing Practices in Prehistoric Japan

A comprehensive database of 120 pictorial representations of aquatic animals and fishing practices from prehistoric Japan, spanning from the Jōmon period (ca. 14,500–1000 BCE) to the Okhotsk period (500–1000 CE), has been compiled. This resource, derived from excavation reports, museum collections, and academic publications, includes depictions on diverse media such as clay pots, bronze bells, stone fragments, and petroglyphs. The database offers significant potential for comparative iconographic studies, validation of archaeological interpretations, and interdisciplinary research into maritime cultures and fishing practices in early Japan. It also facilitates cross-cultural comparisons, contributing to a deeper understanding of human interactions with aquatic environments.

Zancan, C., Knapen, M., Mylona, D., Bausch, I. R., Fernandes, R., Cocozza, C., Robbeets, M., & Hudson, M. (2025). A Database of Pictorial Evidence of Aquatic Animals and Fishing Practices in Prehistoric Japan. Journal of Open Archaeology Data, 13. https://doi.org/10.5334/joad.182