Emergence and innovation of the microblade industry in the Japanese Archipelago

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23520932
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Archaeology
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: TSUTSUMI Takashi 明治大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 研究員 (70593953)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 旧石器時代 / 細石刃石器群 / 石器群のデータ化 / 成立とイノベーション / 産地推定 / 英文データベース / 市民への普及・公開

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, I studied the microblade industry in the Japanese Archipelago during the terminal Upper Paleolithic dated ca. 20,000 to 15,000 BP. Besides basic archaeological analyses including lithic illustrations, measurements and lithic raw material sourcing, I performed site analysis, sourcing studies of lithic materials and symposia on the microblade studies.
These analyses gave significant insights into emergent processes of the microblade industry, technological innovations, lithic raw material exploitations, human mobility, and lifeways. Moreover, I made the English data-base of a total of 1792 sites that have microblade assemblages. I also put my effort into enhancing public awareness of microblades through museum exhibitions and public lectures.

Free Research Field

人文学　史学　考古学　先史学