The Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site is the largest and one of the most complete and best preserved Jomon Period (13000-300 BC) villages in Japan. Unearthed by accident while surveying land to build a community baseball field, the former Sannai Maruyama Village once included over 700 structures and dwellings including long houses, storage structures, roads, and trash and burial pits.
After the excavation and study of the site, the village was reburied with earth and a number of reconstructed pit dwellings, long houses and a large tower were built on top. Visitors can enter the reconstructions, some of which are quite large, as well as see a few of the original excavation sites around the grounds. Additionally, there is the Sannai Maruyama Exhibition Room on the site, a museum that displays pots, jewelry and tools excavated from the area.
Hut reconstruction
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Ongoing excavation
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Adjacent to the excavation site is the Jomon Jiyukan Experience Center which has exhibits about the people who lived during the Jomon Period. Many of the exhibits are interactive where visitors can try on Jomon period clothing, use tools of the era and try making handicrafts and toys. There is also a restaurant that serves typical food that the Sannai Maruyama villagers ate.
The Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site, together with similar sites in Hokkaido, Iwate and Akita prefectures, is currently under consideration to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, the site is easily visited in combination with nearby Aomori Museum of Art, which was designed in a style that imitates the excavation site.
Hands on exhibits and Jomon wardrobe in the Jomon Jiyukan Experience center
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