|
By taking advantage of its favourable location at the
southern tip of Japan, Kagoshima has historically been involved with
various exchanges with overseas countries in the Pacific Rim.
Presently, there are approximately 2,500 officially designated cultural
properties throughout the prefecture that are related to Kagoshima’s
long cherished traditions and history.
Kagoshima has been promoting the introduction of its traditions and
history at the Kagoshima Museum of Culture "Reimeikan", the Uenohara
Jomon-no-Mori and other cultural facilities, thus also contributing to
the preservation of these assets.
In May 1997, the remains of a 9,500 year-old settlement were unearthed
at Uenohara in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The site includes
pit-dwellings, pebble clusters (considered to be a primitive cooking
hearth where stones were gathered and heated to roast meat and other
food), and double pits, which is most likely where meat was smoked.
The Uenohara Site was recognized as a National Historical Monument in
January 1999 in recognition of its status as the largest and oldest
permanent settlement of its kind in Japan, as well as being an example
of the earliest permanent settlement of the Jomon period that gives us
a glimpse of how villages in southern Kyushu would have appeared.
October 2002 marked the opening of the Uenohara Jomon-no-Mori. This
research facility, along with its learning centre and exhibitions, aim
to preserve and utilise the Uenohara Ruins as one of Japan 's
historical and cultural asset, at the same time, providing an
opportunity for citizens to enjoy and learn about the Jomon world.
In Uenohara Jomon-no-Mori, important cultural property such as the
preserved relics and the unearthed articles of the Uenohara
archaeological site, as well as the major relics located within
Kagoshima Prefecture are introduced in the exhibition hall. In the lush
green park teeming with life, visitors can enjoy hands-on activities
such as building a fire, Jomon cooking, and crafting earthenware to
experience various aspects of the ancient Jomon lifestyle.
|
