Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment
大湯環状列石 · Oyu Kanjo Resseki
Late Jomon (2000–1500 BCE)·Late Jomon Oyu·🇯🇵 Tohoku, Akita Prefecture, Kazuno, Oyu, Towada district, Japan
About
About Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment
Kazuno circles excavated 1931 and 1946, Late Jomon double circles aligned to summer solstice sunset. Recorded context — Period: Late Jomon (2000–1500 BCE); Culture: Late Jomon Oyu; Field status: excavated; Materials: andesite, tuff, river stone; Condition: preserved — museum.
Why it mattersKey Late Jomon Oyu megalithic with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Defensive stronghold
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. 2000 BCE Manza; 1500 BCE Nonakado
- Period
- Late Jomon (2000–1500 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Jomon Oyu
- Purpose
- Twin Jomon stone circles (Manza 46 m, Nonakado 42 m) with sundial and solar alignment — ritual calendric
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1941
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2000 BCE Manza; 1500 BCE Nonakado
Initial construction / first occupation at Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment
1990 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment
On the ground
Structures & features
40.2720° N · 140.8040° E · 140 m · 3 mapped features
- Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — Principal Standing Stonestanding stonestanding stone at Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — primary structure40.2729° N · 140.8059° E
- Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — outlier feature40.2721° N · 140.8060° E
- Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — Southern Cairncairncairn at Oyu Stone Circles — Late Jomon Solar Alignment — outlier feature40.2739° N · 140.8029° E
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