Japanese History - Facts About Japan - Ancient Japan The four islands that make up the Japanese archipelago have been inhabited by humans for at least 30,000 years—though some theories suggest the area was populated as long as 200,000 years ago! If you don't have time to digest the history of Japan (and unless you're a scholar or a speed reader you probably don't) you should at least familiarize yourself with some of the basic facts about Japan before embarking on your journey. Understanding the facts about Japan can only add another layer of meaning to the temples, parks, religious ceremonies and cultural wonders you are bound to encounter during your visit. What follows, then, is a cursory look at Japanese history, a jumping off point for further study about the history of Japan, and a quick reference for a few key facts about Japan. Japan history begins with the migration of people from the Asian mainland during a period in which the sea separating present day Japan from China and the Korean Peninsula was only partially formed.
Japan - Ancient Cultures On the basis of archaeological finds, it has been postulated that hominid activity in Japan may date as early as 200,000 B.C., when the islands were connected to the Asian mainland. Although some scholars doubt this early date for habitation, most agree that by around 40,000 B.C. glaciation had reconnected the islands with the mainland. Based on archaeological evidence, they also agree that by between 35,000 and 30,000 B.C. Homo sapiens had migrated to the islands from eastern and southeastern Asia and had well-established patterns of hunting and gathering and stone toolmaking . Stone tools, inhabitation sites, and human fossils from this period have been found throughout all the islands of Japan. More stable living patterns gave rise by around 10,000 B.C. to a Neolithic or, as some scholars argue, Mesolithic culture. By the late Jomon period, a dramatic shift had taken place according to archaeological studies.
Japan's Mysterious Pyramids Welcome to Living in Ancient Egypt More Breeds Added! If you have any comments or ideas? Or need any kind of information about Ancient Egypt, please I'll be glad to help you! Webrings Early History and Culture One of the most recognizable remnants of Japan's so-called "Tomb period" is the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, who is said to have reigned during the 4th century. With all the technological innovations coming from modern Japan, it's easy to forget that even they had a Stone Age. From around the middle of the 11th century B.C.E. to 300 B.C.E., Japan was populated by a Neolithic civilization called the Jômon (rope pattern) culture. This group of hunters and gatherers decorated their pottery by twisting rope around the wet clay, to produce a distinctive pattern. Remnants of their pit-dwellings and enormous mounds of discarded shells mark the locations of their settlements, which were scattered throughout the islands. But it wasn't until the Yayoi period (300 B.C.E. to 250 C.E.) that Japan became a rice-loving culture. The entrance gate to a Shinto shrine is called a torii. The Tomb period (250 C.E.-552 C.E.) gets its name from the massive tombs that dot the landscape to this day. The Land of Wa
The Olmec Civilization and the Use of Bitumen Geoarchaeological research has identified origin sources of bitumen used by the great Olmec civilization of the tropical lowlands of central America, 3000 years ago. The project, described by Olmec scholar David Grove as a “break-though in source analyzing bitumen in Mesoamerica”, may shed light on the vast trade networks throughout prehistoric North America. Historic and Prehistoric Uses of Bitumen Bitumen is a black, oily, viscous material that is a naturally-occurring organic byproduct of decomposed organic materials. Also known as asphalt or tar, bitumen was mixed with other materials throughout prehistory and throughout the world for use as a sealant, adhesive, building mortar, incense, and decorative application on pots, buildings, or human skin. Archaeologists have been investigating the sources of bitumen, that is to say, from whence came bitumen used in ancient settlements, since the 1980s, beginning with materials from archaeological sites in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Sources
Women in Ancient Japan: From Matriarchal Antiquity to Acquiescent Confinement The role of women in ancient Japan elicits inconsistencies due to different influences that were integrated at various time periods. The primary influence that contributed to these inconsistencies was religion. Integration of the two major religions of Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism, created a paradox for the female identity; altering women’s place in Japan’s matriarchal antiquity to a state of acquiescent confinement by the dawn of the Meiji Restoration. Different conjectures of ancient Japanese women were formed in direct correlation to the spiritual beliefs of the time. Evaluating the feminine identities educed by these beliefs illustrates the drastic changes that occurred for women. Painting depicting women of ancient Japan. The Kojiki and Nihongi are the two original Japanese written records that illuminate the first documented Japanese attitude towards women. In 552 A.D the introduction of Buddhism from China would interfere with the Shinto dominated perception of women. i.) iii.)
The Gods of the Olmec The Gods of the Olmec The mysterious Olmec Civilization flourished between roughly 1200 and 400 B.C. on Mexico's gulf coast. Although there are still more mysteries than answers about this ancient culture, modern researchers have determined that religion was of great importance to the Olmec. The Olmec Culture The Olmec culture was the first major Mesoamerican civilization, thriving in the steamy lowlands of Mexico's gulf coast, mainly in the modern-day states of Tabasco and Veracruz. Olmec Religion Researchers have done a remarkable job of learning so much about Olmec religion and society. Complex A at La Venta is an Olmec ceremonial site which was largely preserved; much about Olmec religion was learned there. Olmec Gods The Olmec apparently had gods, or at least powerful supernatural beings, which were worshipped or respected in some way. Archaeologist Peter Joralemon, who has studied the Olmec extensively, has come up with a tentative identification of eight gods. The Olmec Dragon
Ancient Japan By Tim Lambert The First Japanese Human beings have lived in Japan for at least 30,000 years. About 8,000 BC the ancient Japanese learned to make pottery. Between 300 BC and 300 AD a new era began in Japan. This period is called Yayoi. The Kofun Period in Japan The Yayoi period was followed by the Kofun (from 300 AD to 710 AD). According to tradition in 552 AD the king of Paekche in Korea sent priests to convert Japan to Buddhism. Furthermore in the 7th century AD the emperor became more powerful. Shotoku also built the Horyuji Buddhist temple and monastery in 607. After him, in 646, a series of reforms were made known as the Taika. At that time the capital of Japan was moved when an emperor died as people believed it was unlucky to stay in the same place afterwards. However in the 8th century Buddhist monks and priests began to interfere in politics. The Heian Period in Japan The era from 794 to 1185 is called the Heian period. Moreover outside Kyoto the emperor's power grew weaker. Home
NOVA | Archeology of the Hebrew Bible Posted 11.18.08 NOVA William Dever, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona, has investigated the archeology of the ancient Near East for more than 30 years and authored almost as many books on the subject. In the following interview, Dever describes some of the most significant archeological finds related to the Hebrew Bible, including his own hot-button discovery that the Israelites' God was linked to a female goddess called Asherah. Thousands of clay figurines like this one suggest that the early Israelites worshipped more than a single God. Proving the Bible NOVA: Have biblical archeologists traditionally tried to find evidence that events in the Bible really happened? William Dever: From the beginnings of what we call biblical archeology, perhaps 150 years ago, scholars, mostly western scholars, have attempted to use archeological data to prove the Bible. But perhaps we were asking the wrong questions. We want to make the Bible history. The faith of Abraham Why was it told?
Ancient Japan - The Ancient Japanese Empire The Geisha, the traditional Japanese ideal of beauty Where did the Japanese come from? Why did they settle the islands? What did life look like before history was written down? In order to get a handle on ancient Japanese history, it helps to consider that it is driven by outside influences. Jomon Culture in Japan The Jomon people were some of the earliest people to establish villages in Japan Although the Japanese do not settle Japan until the third century B.C., humans had lived in Japan from about 30,000 B.C.. Then around 10,000 B.C., these original inhabitants developed a unique culture which lasted for several thousand years: the Jomon culture. We divide the Jomon into six separate eras—ten thousand years, after all, is a long time and even preliterate cultures change dramatically over time. The Kofun Cuirass, a well preserved example of early Japanese armor The Incipient Jomon, which is dated from about 10,500 B.C. to 8,000 B.C. has left us only pottery fragments. The Ainu