Visited 15.10.2015 (Thu)
Backup. Original plan was to visit Aomori Art Museum 青森県立美術館 after arriving in Aomori city on Day 7. To my dismay, I found out from the staff at the tourist information center that the art museum was closed for refurbishment (from end 2015 to early 2016). Had a last minute change of plan and decided to visit Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡, which is situated beside the art museum, instead.
Introduction. Sannai Maruyama Historical Site was where a large, long term settlement existed from early to the middle Jomon period, approximately 4,000 to 5,500 years ago. I find it hard to imagine how life was in the B.C. period. However, thanks to a group of archaeologists, the excavated remains provided some insights on how people lived in this settlement at that point of time. Since the start of excavation in 1992, numerous building structures, burial pits, pottery and stone artefacts were discovered and studied extensively. After gathering these valuable information, recreation of dwellings and other building structures were carried out at the same site, to replicate how a village might have looked like during the Jomon period. Apart from being recognised as a special historical site by the government in Nov 2000, Jomon Archaeological Site in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku, which includes Sannai Maruyama Site, has been identified as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Designation in 2021 by the government panel.
Village. First, we made our way to the outdoor section where the village of Sannai Maruyama was recreated based on archaeological evidences. Pit dwellings were homes to the prehistoric humans, and they were constructed with pillars, a roof and a floor which was dug below ground level. About 550 dwellings have been discovered so far and 15 of them have been reconstructed at the current site.
Large pit dwellings are more than 10 m long. A longhouse of Middle Jomon Period measuring 32 m in length and the remains of an oval dwelling measuring 18 m long were featured. These dwellings were believed to be used as meeting halls, workshops or communal houses. The most prominent structure in this site is a large pillar supported building, reconstructed on a scale based on estimates derived from excavation research results and the analysis of pressure exerted on the soil at the bottom of the pillar holes. The six pillars holes, each measured about 2 m in both diameter and depth, were situated 4.2 m apart from each other and neatly arranged in two lines of three holes.
Another interesting find was burial jars used for children who passed away. The pottery used as coffins might be differentiated from those used for cooing by its broken rim or bottom. In addition, about 500 adult burial pits were also uncovered at the site. Learnt a new word called "mound" which refers to this slightly elevated patch of ground formed by the long term disposal of dirt and waste generated during the construction of pit dwellings, digging of holes as well as disposal of broken potsherds, stone artefacts, burned soil and coal.
Sanmaru Museum. Completed the village tour and entered the indoor museum. In Sanmaru Museum さんまるミュージアム, about 1,700 artefacts, in which 500 of them are classified as important cultural property, are put up for display. Was impressed by the effort taken by the archaeologists to put the broken pieces together to recreate Jomon pottery. Pit dwelling and wax figures replicated the scenes that may be observed in a Jomon family. The lives of Jomon people and how they coexisted with nature were inferred from the excavated items and research findings were presented in various media. The display boards are generally easy to comprehend (available in English) and visitors can also participate in the museum guided tour, which is available twice a day (1030 and 1400 hrs). For me, Sannai Maruyama Historical Site was an eye-opener and is truly one excellent place to visit, especially for those who are fascinated about prehistoric age.
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Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡
青森県青森市大字三内字丸山305
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs; closed on the 4th Monday of every month
Admission fee = 410 yen
http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/
(1) By bus from Aomori Ekimae Bus Terminal.
There are two bus services that depart from the bus terminal in front of Aomori JR Station/Aoimori Railway Station for Sannai Maruyama Historical Site.
Platform #6: For Aomori City Bus 青森市営バス Sannai Maruyama Historical Site line 三内丸山遺跡線, heading for Aomori Museum of Art 青森県立美術館 and Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡.
- Fare from Aomori Ekimae to Aomori Museum of Art = 280 yen
- Fare from Aomori Ekimae to Sannai Maruyama Historical Site = 310 yen
https://www.city.aomori.aomori.jp/koutsu/documents/20151001sannnaimaruyamasenn.pdf
Platform #7: For Nebutan-go Bus ねぶたん号バス, which covers attractions located in Aomori city such as Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡, Aomori Museum of Art 青森県立美術館, ASPAM, Aomori Prefectural Museum 県立郷土館 and Shiko Munakata Memorial Museum 棟方志功記念館.
- Fare per trip = 200 yen
- One day pass = 500 yen
http://www.aomori-kanko-bus.co.jp/topics.html
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Commemorative stamp:
Backup. Original plan was to visit Aomori Art Museum 青森県立美術館 after arriving in Aomori city on Day 7. To my dismay, I found out from the staff at the tourist information center that the art museum was closed for refurbishment (from end 2015 to early 2016). Had a last minute change of plan and decided to visit Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡, which is situated beside the art museum, instead.
 |
| Recreated a pit dwelling village. |
Village. First, we made our way to the outdoor section where the village of Sannai Maruyama was recreated based on archaeological evidences. Pit dwellings were homes to the prehistoric humans, and they were constructed with pillars, a roof and a floor which was dug below ground level. About 550 dwellings have been discovered so far and 15 of them have been reconstructed at the current site.
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| Longhouse. |
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| A peek inside the longhouse. |
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| The landmark of Sannai Maruyama Historical Site. |
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Burial jars for children.
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| Piecing Jomon pottery together. |
Sanmaru Museum. Completed the village tour and entered the indoor museum. In Sanmaru Museum さんまるミュージアム, about 1,700 artefacts, in which 500 of them are classified as important cultural property, are put up for display. Was impressed by the effort taken by the archaeologists to put the broken pieces together to recreate Jomon pottery. Pit dwelling and wax figures replicated the scenes that may be observed in a Jomon family. The lives of Jomon people and how they coexisted with nature were inferred from the excavated items and research findings were presented in various media. The display boards are generally easy to comprehend (available in English) and visitors can also participate in the museum guided tour, which is available twice a day (1030 and 1400 hrs). For me, Sannai Maruyama Historical Site was an eye-opener and is truly one excellent place to visit, especially for those who are fascinated about prehistoric age.
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Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡
青森県青森市大字三内字丸山305
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs; closed on the 4th Monday of every month
Admission fee = 410 yen
http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/
How to get there?
(1) By bus from Aomori Ekimae Bus Terminal.
There are two bus services that depart from the bus terminal in front of Aomori JR Station/Aoimori Railway Station for Sannai Maruyama Historical Site.
Platform #6: For Aomori City Bus 青森市営バス Sannai Maruyama Historical Site line 三内丸山遺跡線, heading for Aomori Museum of Art 青森県立美術館 and Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡.
- Fare from Aomori Ekimae to Aomori Museum of Art = 280 yen
- Fare from Aomori Ekimae to Sannai Maruyama Historical Site = 310 yen
https://www.city.aomori.aomori.jp/koutsu/documents/20151001sannnaimaruyamasenn.pdf
Platform #7: For Nebutan-go Bus ねぶたん号バス, which covers attractions located in Aomori city such as Sannai Maruyama Historical Site 三内丸山遺跡, Aomori Museum of Art 青森県立美術館, ASPAM, Aomori Prefectural Museum 県立郷土館 and Shiko Munakata Memorial Museum 棟方志功記念館.
- Fare per trip = 200 yen
- One day pass = 500 yen
http://www.aomori-kanko-bus.co.jp/topics.html
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Commemorative stamp:
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