Faunal exploitation of the late Initial Jomon period on the tip of the Chita Peninsula, Japan: faunal remains from the Tenjinyama site

A new analysis of faunal remains from the Tenjinyama site on Japan's Chita Peninsula reveals that late Initial Jomon period hunter-gatherers prioritized deer and wild boar hunting alongside spearfishing for mullet, suggesting a strategic shift toward higher-calorie marine resources. Unlike typical shell midden sites, this location lacked shell deposits, offering insight into non-shellfish-based subsistence strategies. Bone survivorship patterns indicate partial meat sharing with other groups, while sedimentary changes hint at activity decline and recovery post-K-Ah volcanic eruption. The study suggests resilience through marine resource exchange networks, challenging assumptions about Jomon period economies.

Hirose, M. (2026). Faunal exploitation of the late Initial Jomon period on the tip of the Chita Peninsula, Japan: faunal remains from the Tenjinyama site. Archaeological Research in Asia, 47, 100734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2026.100734