Nakadomari (archaeological site)

Nakadomari is an archaeological site located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is known primarily as a shell midden site dating back to the Jomon period, specifically the Early Jomon (c. 10,000-5,000 BCE) and Middle Jomon (c. 5,000-2,500 BCE) periods. Excavations at Nakadomari have yielded significant quantities of shell remains, along with other artifacts such as pottery shards, stone tools, and bone implements. These findings provide valuable insights into the subsistence strategies, settlement patterns, and material culture of the people who inhabited the Ryukyu Islands during the Jomon period. The site contributes to our understanding of the coastal adaptations and resource utilization practices of Jomon communities in the region. Furthermore, Nakadomari's stratigraphic layers offer a chronological record of environmental and cultural changes over several millennia. Analysis of the shell middens has revealed information about the types of shellfish consumed, seasonal variations in resource availability, and potential impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The site is considered an important resource for researchers studying the prehistory of Okinawa and the broader East Asian region. Further research and preservation efforts are crucial to protect the site from potential damage and to maximize its potential for future archaeological investigations.