Tagoyano Site
Tagoyano Shell Midden · Taboyano Kaizuka
Late to Final Jomon 2500–400 BCE·Late–Final Jomon (Tsugaru coastal)·🇯🇵 Aomori Prefecture, Tsugaru City, Tagoyano plateau (Japan Sea coastal dune), Japan
About
About Tagoyano Site
Late to Final Jomon shell midden (c.2500–400 BCE) on the Japan Sea coastal dune at Tsugaru City, Aomori — 6.3 ha site with shell mound (Corbicula, Ezo surf clam) 2.5 m thick, 30+ pit dwellings, and ritual pit with lacquered basket and dog burials. Excavated 1989–2004, Tagoyano shows Japan Sea–Pacific exchange contrast with Futatsumori (Pacific) — Ezo clam and sea mammal vs Corbicula; lacquered baskets are among oldest Japan basketry (2000 BCE). UNESCO Jomon component (1632-004).
Why it mattersJapan Sea counterpart to Pacific Futatsumori; oldest lacquered basketry (2000 BCE) and Japan Sea marine adaptation model.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why dog burials — companion or ritual?
Theories
- 01Japan Sea–Tsugaru Strait exchange circle vs Pacific Ogawara circle
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.2500 BCE Late Jomon; midden peak 2000–400 BCE
- Period
- Late to Final Jomon 2500–400 BCE
- Culture
- Late–Final Jomon (Tsugaru coastal)
- Builders
- Jomon coastal fishers (Japan Sea)
- Purpose
- Japan Sea coastal fishing–gathering village and ritual midden
- Abandoned
- c.400 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1989 Tsugaru City excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2500 BCE
Late Jomon pits founded on Tsugaru dune
c.2000–400 BCE
Shell midden 2.5 m thick with lacquered baskets and dog burials
2021
UNESCO Jomon Prehistoric Sites 1632-004 inscription
On the ground
Structures & features
40.8878° N · 140.3378° E · 25 m · 2 mapped features
Shell midden lens
midden2.5 m Ezo clam/Corbicula shell mound with fish bones
40.8880° N · 140.3375° ELacquered basket ritual pit
ritual depositPit with 2000 BCE lacquered bamboo baskets and dog burial
40.8875° N · 140.3380° E
Gallery