Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon
Late Jomon (2200–1500 BCE)·Late Jomon·🇯🇵 Tohoku, Akita Prefecture, Kita-Akita City, Isedotai, Japan
About
About Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon
Kita-Akita Isedotai excavated 1992–, 4 circles with 200+ stones aligned to Mount Moriyoshi. Recorded context — Period: Late Jomon (2200–1500 BCE); Culture: Late Jomon; Field status: excavated; Materials: andesite, river stone; Condition: preserved.
Why it mattersKey Late Jomon megalithic with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Astronomical alignment
- 02Trade network extent
Theories
- 01Elite residence
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2200 BCE
- Period
- Late Jomon (2200–1500 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Jomon
- Purpose
- Four Jomon circles (30–15 m) with surrounding pit buildings — early Jomon ritual field
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1872
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon
c. 2200 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon
2005 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon
On the ground
Structures & features
40.1570° N · 140.3480° E · 44 m · 4 mapped features
- Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — Principal Standing Stonestanding stonestanding stone at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — primary structure40.1583° N · 140.3464° E
- Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — subsidiary complex40.1561° N · 140.3491° E
- Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — Southern Cairncairncairn at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — outlier feature40.1581° N · 140.3493° E
- Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — Standing_Stone Annex 4standing stonestanding stone at Isedotai Stone Circles — Akita Northern Jomon — hydraulic feature40.1578° N · 140.3472° E