00:00約38,000 years ago, the first humans set foot on the Japanese archipelago.
00:06This marked the beginning of Japan's Paleolithic period.
00:09The Paleolithic period refers to the period when humans primarily used stone tools
00:13made by chipping stone.
00:16In global history, it began approximately 2.6 million years ago
00:20and lasted in Japan until approximately 16,000 years ago.
00:24Although this period varies depending on the region,
00:27this period is the longest in human history
00:30and is important for showing how our modern ancestors adapted and survived in harsh natural environments.
00:36Japan's Paleolithic period was relatively short compared to other parts of the world.
00:41But during that time a unique culture and technology developed.
00:45Understanding this period is essential to understanding the roots of the Japanese people
00:49and humanity's incredible adaptability.
00:52Research into the Paleolithic period answers fundamental questions.
00:55Where did we come from?
00:56How did we become what we are today?
00:58Every stone tool bears the wisdom and ingenuity of the people at that time.
01:04The Japanese archipelago during the Paleolithic period
01:07looked completely different from its present-day counterpart.
01:11This period was a cold period known as the Last Glacial Age.
01:15With global temperatures 7 to 10 degrees lower than today.
01:18Because seawater was frozen as glaciers,
01:20sea levels were 120 to 140 meters lower than today.
01:24And the Japanese archipelago was connected to the Korean peninsula.
01:28And mainland China by land.
01:30Various animals migrated to the archipelago from the continent.
01:34Via this land bridge, large mammals not found in present-day.
01:38Japan, such as mammoths, naumans elephants, giant elk, brown bears, tigers, and hyenas, roamed the archipelago.
01:46The vegetation was also very different.
01:49With coniferous forests similar to those found in present-day Hokkaido covering most of Honshu.
01:55Glacial and interglacial periods alternate roughly every 100,000 years.
01:59Causing major changes in the distribution of plants and animals.
02:03Continental animals flourished during cold periods, while plants and animals more similar.
02:07To those found in present-day Japan flourished during warm periods.
02:12Amidst these dramatic environmental changes,
02:14Paleolithic people were able to adapt flexibly and survive.
02:18Because the Sugaru Strait remained a strait even during the glacial period.
02:22The faunas of Honshu and Hokkaido were different.
02:25This is the origin of the biogeographical boundary that remains known today.
02:29Paleolithic people's lives were supported by hunting and gathering.
02:40Rather than settling in fixed locations, they nomadically lived according to the seasons and the movement of prey.
02:46Group sizes are estimated to have been around 20 to 30 people.
02:50And it is believed that they formed small band societies centered around blood-related families.
02:54They often dwelled in caves or under rocks.
02:57And on flat land they built simple tent-like structures.
03:00Their dwellings were probably portable, made from animal skins and plants, and could be dismantled and moved as needed.
03:07Diets varied greatly with the seasons.
03:09From spring to summer, they gathered plant shoots, nuts, and rhizomes.
03:13And in autumn, nuts and mushrooms became important food sources.
03:17Large mammals were hunted for animal foods, but small animals, fish, and shellfish were also important sources of protein.
03:24People back then had a much richer knowledge than people today realize.
03:28They knew which plants were edible, where prey could be found in which seasons, and how to predict weather changes.
03:34They memorized this vast amount of information and passed it on to future generations.
03:39Clothing was mainly made from animal fur.
03:42Fur processing techniques were also well developed, and ingenuity to adapt to cold climates is evident everywhere.
03:49Needles made from bone and horn have also been discovered, indicating the existence of sewing techniques.
03:54The use of fire was an important characteristic of the Paleolithic period.
03:59Fire was used for a variety of purposes, including cooking, heating, lighting, and tool-making, and greatly changed human life.
04:06Remains of campfires, burnt stones, and charred plant fragments have been found at Paleolithic sites throughout Japan.
04:16The most significant feature of the Paleolithic period is the use of chipped stone tools.
04:22Japan's Paleolithic culture can be divided into several periods based on stages of technological development.
04:28From approximately 38,000 to 30,000 years ago, relatively simple flaked stone tools were dominant.
04:34Starting with the basic technique of chipping stone to create sharp blades, this technique gradually became more refined.
04:41From the middle to late periods, distinctive stone tools known as knife-shaped stone tools appeared.
04:47These stone tools were made using the highly advanced technique of stone blades, and had efficient, sharp blades.
04:53Knife-shaped stone tools were used as hunting spear points and as knives for butchering and processing.
04:58In an even later period, bifacial stone tools known as tool points appeared.
05:04These were highly elaborately crafted and required advanced technical skill.
05:08Tool points were primarily used as spear points for hunting, demonstrating their effectiveness in hunting large game.
05:14The knowledge and skill of the people of that time is also reflected in the choice of stone used to make stone tools.
05:20Various stone materials were used depending on the region, such as obsidian, andesite, and chert.
05:27But obsidian in particular was transported from far away because it was capable of making sharp, beautiful stone tools.
05:33When you actually try making stone tools, you really understand how difficult it is.
05:38It takes hours to make a single knife-shaped stone tool, and there were many failures.
05:42I'm truly amazed at the high level of skill of the people of that time.
05:47Stone tool making requires many years of experience and training, and it is thought that a system of passing on skills was also in place.
05:54Skills were passed down from parent to child, from expert to beginner, and were continually improved over the generations.
06:04Research on the Paleolithic period in Japan began in earnest with the discovery of the Iwajuku site in 1949.
06:10Until then, it was believed that there was no Paleolithic period in Japan.
06:16But the discovery of obsidian stone tools by archaeologist Tadahiro Aizawa overturned this accepted theory.
06:23The discovery of the Iwajuku site was a groundbreaking event in the history of Japanese archaeology.
06:29The excavation of stone tools from the Kanto Lome Formation, a volcanic ash layer, proved that the Paleolithic period definitely existed in Japan.
06:37Since this discovery, Paleolithic site surveys have progressed throughout Japan, and currently over 10,000 sites have been discovered.
06:45The Lake Najiri site is an important site that demonstrates the relationship between Paleolithic people and large mammals.
06:52Stone tools were discovered at the bottom of the lake, along with fossils of Nauman's elephant and giant elk,
06:57clearly demonstrating that people at that time hunted large animals.
07:01Some Nauman's elephant bones bear cut marks made by stone tools, attracting attention as traces of butchering.
07:08At the Yasuba site in Shiswoka Prefecture, structures believed to be the remains of dwellings dating back approximately 20,000 years have been discovered.
07:16This valuable discovery, including a stone-enclosed hearth made of stones arranged in a circle,
07:22and small depressions that appear to be post holes, provides concrete insight into life at the time.
07:28At the Shirataki site in Hokkaido, a large number of remains of obsidian stone tool production have been discovered.
07:35This is an obsidian-producing region, and it provides insight into Paleolithic technology and trade, from sources.
07:41Raw materials to stone tool production and even distribution to other regions.
07:47The discoveries at Lake Najiri show that the people of that time were not simply gatherers,
07:52but highly skilled hunters who actively hunted mammoths and Nauman's elephants.
07:56Their courage and technical ability are inspiring.
07:58Human bones dating back approximately 30,000 years have also been discovered at the Taishikikyo site in Kyushu,
08:05providing valuable evidence for understanding the physical characteristics of the Japanese archipelago's inhabitants at that time.
08:11Paleolithic societies were made up of small, kin-based groups.
08:18These groups are thought to have been egalitarian, with no clear class system.
08:23However, there was some degree of division of roles based on age, gender, and individual ability.
08:29It is assumed that men were primarily responsible for hunting, while women primarily engaged in foraging activities.
08:36However, this was not a fixed division of roles.
08:38Roles likely changed flexibly depending on the situation.
08:42Children acquired the skills necessary for life by observing and imitating the activities of adults.
08:47The sharing and passing on of knowledge within a group was extremely important for survival.
08:52A vast amount of information, including hunting techniques, stone tools,
08:57making, knowledge of food plants, and weather prediction, was passed down orally to the next generation.
09:03Although the spiritual culture of the Paleolithic period remains a matter of speculation.
09:08Due to a lack of physical evidence, some interesting discoveries have been made.
09:13Discoveries have included what appear to be shell and stone objects used as jewelry,
09:18as well as traces of the use of red pigment red ochre, suggesting the existence of symbolic
09:22behavior beyond practical purposes.
09:25It is believed that special treatment of the dead also began during this period.
09:29Though there is little evidence of intentional burials, the condition of the human bones suggests
09:34that some form of death ritual existed.
09:37Inter-group interaction was also an important feature.
09:40The widespread distribution of certain stone materials, such as obsidian, indicates the existence
09:45of exchange and trade between groups.
09:48This interaction played an important role in the spread of technology and the maintenance of genetic diversity.
09:53Studies of modern hunter-gatherers can infer much about the societies of Paleolithic people.
09:58They likely led much richer social and spiritual lives than we previously thought.
10:02Inter-glacial period
10:06Approximately 16,000 years ago, the Earth transitioned from the last glacial period to an interglacial period.
10:13This climate change brought dramatic changes to the environment and people's lives in the Japanese archipelago.
10:19Rising temperatures caused sea levels to rise, and the Japanese archipelago once again became an island nation.
10:25Environmental changes also had a significant impact on the distribution of plants and animals.
10:31Large mammals such as mammoths and naumens elephants became extinct,
10:34replaced by small and medium-sized animals found in present-day Japan.
10:39Forests also changed from coniferous to deciduous broadleaf forests, making a wider variety of plant resources available.
10:46In response to these environmental changes, people's lifestyles also changed dramatically.
10:51They shifted from a life centered on hunting large animals to one centered on utilizing a diverse range of resources.
10:57They increasingly relied on more stable and predictable food sources, such as seafood, nuts, and small animals.
11:04Then, around 16,000 years ago, pottery was invented in the Japanese archipelago.
11:10This marks the beginning of Jomen pottery and serves as an important indicator of the transition from the Paleolithic to the Jomen period.
11:16The invention of pottery brought about revolutionary changes in food preparation methods, improving nutritional value and diversifying diets.
11:25Stone tool technology also changed.
11:27In addition to chipped stone tools, polished stone tools appeared, allowing for the production of more precise and efficient tools.
11:35The use of bows and arrows also became widespread, and hunting techniques entered a new stage.
11:40Dwelling patterns also shifted from a nomadic lifestyle to semi-sedentary and then sedentary.
11:46Abundant forest resources and a stable food supply made it possible to stay in one place for long periods of time.
11:52The transition from the Paleolithic to the Jomen period was not simply a change in period.
11:58It was a major turning point in human history, when human lifestyles, technology, and social organization all fundamentally change.
12:04Japan's Paleolithic period lasted for approximately 22,000 years, from approximately 38,000 years ago to approximately 16,000 years ago.
12:18While this period is short in the context of human history as a whole,
12:22it holds great significance as the beginning of human habitation in the Japanese archipelago.
12:27Paleolithic people lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle in a harsh glacial environment and developed stone tool technology.
12:33The stone tools and ruins they left behind provide valuable information about the lifestyles,
12:38technological level, and social organization of the time.
12:42From a global historical perspective, Japan's Paleolithic period is relatively late and was already occupied by modern humans.
12:50The people of this period were one of the groups representing the final stage of the eastward expansion of modern humans after leaving Africa.
12:56Technologically, they developed advanced stone tool technology, including stone blade techniques, knife-shaped stone tools, and stone point production.
13:06While these technologies share elements with Paleolithic cultures of Eurasia, they also display characteristics unique to the Japanese archipelago.
13:14Socially, an egalitarian society consisting of small, blood-related groups is assumed.
13:19These groups engaged in seasonal migration and efficiently utilized resources.
13:24There was also active interaction between groups, resulting in the exchange of stone and the spread of technology.
13:30While direct evidence of spiritual culture is lacking, the beginnings of symbolic behavior can be seen.
13:36Such as the use of jewelry and pigments, and the treatment of the dead.
13:40These are thought to have formed the foundation for the rich spiritual culture of the later Jomen period.
13:44With the end of the Paleolithic period, the people of the Japanese archipelago entered a new era, the Jomen period.
13:52Building on the foundations laid during the Paleolithic period, an even richer and more complex culture blossomed with the invention of pottery.
13:59The use of bows and arrows, and the beginning of sedentary living.
14:03Even today, new discoveries from the Paleolithic period continue to be made across Japan.
14:08Each discovery deepens our understanding of the lives and cultures of our ancestors and fills a gap in human history.
14:15By tracing the footprints left behind by Paleolithic people, we can learn about our own roots and the long journey that humanity has traveled.
14:23Japan's Paleolithic period is certainly only a small period in human history.
14:28However, even in that short period, human creativity, adaptability, and a strong will to survive are imprinted.
14:34For us living in the modern age, the way of life of Paleolithic people is a valuable heritage that provides us with much inspiration and inspiration.
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