Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain
Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain North Annex · Gusuku Site
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇯🇵 Okinawa, Uruma, Japan
About
About Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain
Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain in Okinawa, Uruma, Japan is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 26.3310N 127.8810E controls access to Okinawa resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for Okinawa, Uruma, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1966 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain main structure
c. 1946
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1961–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
26.3310° N · 127.8810° E · 402 m · 4 mapped features
Gusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
26.3318° N · 127.8819° EGusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
26.3300° N · 127.8803° EGusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
26.3325° N · 127.8822° EGusuku Katsuren Castle North Curtain — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
26.3294° N · 127.8799° E