A Time Capsule of Okinawa: The 7,000-Year Story of the Irei-baru Ruins in Chatan
Located in the central part of Okinawa's main island, Chatan Town is famous for its beautiful beaches and American Village. But did you know that this town also has a historic site that dates back to the Jomon period?
In 1997, a series of valuable Jomon artifacts were unearthed at a former US military base site. This site was named the "Irei-baru Ruins." It is considered a significant settlement site for examining the exchange between Jomon-era Okinawa and mainland Japan.
According to the Prefectural Board of Education, many more cultural properties are believed to be buried within the US military bases.
This time, we will focus on the Irei-baru Ruins, adjacent to the Chatan Town Museum, and unravel the story that has been passed down to the present day over 7,000 years.
Why did people gather in this place and leave a long history? The secret lies in the spring water called "Uchinukā." Centered around this abundant water source, people lived and cultivated their culture.
A surprising fact revealed by the genomic DNA analysis of Okinawans. It has long been known that Okinawans have the highest percentage of Jomon genes. Through deep connections with the Tohoku region and exchanges with external groups, it has become clear that the lives of Jomon-era Okinawans were more diverse and interesting than we had imagined.
At the Chatan Town Museum and the Irei-baru Ruins Park, you can ponder the lives of Jomon people and learn about the importance of coexistence between humans and nature. We invite you to visit.
▽Chatan Town Museum:
https://museum.chatan.jp/
▽Ireibaru Ruins:
Chatan Town Official Website
https://search.app/MY99pA9DxTBsgrww8
#Chatan Town #Ireibaru Ruins #Jomon Period #Okinawan History #Archaeology
#Ryukyu Archipelago #Genome Analysis #Gene #DNA Analysis #Anthropology #Genetic Diversity