Middle Jomon Sub-Period

   The Middle Jomon sub-period is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Jomon culture.  It was at this time that there was the largest number of Jomon settlements in the Japanese archipelago; large sites like Sannai Maruyama flourished; and a variety of very unique and elaborate pottery types were manufactured. How and why the Jomon people flourished so well during this period is uncertain though.  There was a climatic optimum for the majority of the Middle Jomon sub-period with temperatures warmer than today's.  Most scholars see the Middle Jomon culture as either a direct or in-direct response to the climatic optimum.

    In terms of settlement, there are well over 11,000 settlements that have been excavated dating to the Middle Jomon sub-period.   The Chubu and Kanto regions contain nearly 60% of the sites dating to this period.  Since most sites have been discovered in the course of urban development, it is unclear if this reflects only the urban sprawl of Tokyo and Yokohama, or if these two regions were the most densely settled.  Several sites with more than 50 pit houses have been excavated.  

    It is uncertain if these Jomon settlements were occupied year round, or if the inhabitants moved on a seasonal basis. Kidder (1993) has suggested that the inhabitants alternated residences between the mountains in Chubu and the Kanto lowlands.  He feels the mountains were inhabited in the summer and fall months, with the lowland being inhabited in the winter and spring.  A variety of roots and nuts could be exploited in the summer and fall, while in shellfish and deer and boar could be exploited in the winter and spring.

    While storage pits are common in the Middle Jomon, Imamura has noted they and chipped stone axes have an interesting distribution [map].  Chipped stone axes are most commonly found in the mountains of Chubu and in western Kanto.  Storage pits are fairly rare.  In eastern Kanto, there is a paucity of chipped stone axes, but numerous storage pits.  Why this occurred is a bit of a mystery.

    The pottery made during the Middle Jomon is quite elaborate.  Due to the elaborate designs, numerous authors have argued that a symbolic meaning or ritual use was attached to the pottery.  Many types have applique and molded features added as decorative elements.  Some decorative elements are made by carving or sculpting the clay.  While care went into making the pots, the clay fabric is quite coarse and contains numerous aplastic inclusions and temper.  Some of the more famous and elaborate pottery styles during this time period are: Katsusaka, Kasori E, and Flame-style pottery.

Middle Jomon burial from Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture

Jomon woman making pottery

Jomon Lithics>

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