Ōyu Stone Circles

Coordinates: 40°16′18″N 140°48′14″E / 40.27167°N 140.80389°E / 40.27167; 140.80389
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ōyu Stone Circles
大湯環状列石
Ōyu Stone Circles
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Ōyu Stone Circles
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Ōyu Stone Circles (Japan)
LocationKazuno, Akita, Japan
RegionTōhoku region
Coordinates40°16′18″N 140°48′14″E / 40.27167°N 140.80389°E / 40.27167; 140.80389
Typestone circle
History
Founded2000 BCE
PeriodsJōmon period
Site notes
Public accessYes

The Ōyu Stone Circles (大湯環状列石, Ōyu Kanjyō Resseki) is a late

Tohoku Expressway.[1]

Description

The site consists of two large stone circles built on an artificially flattened plateau on the left bank of the Ōyu River, a tributary of the Yoneshiro River in northeastern Akita Prefecture. The site was discovered in 1931, with detailed archaeological excavations taking place in 1946 and in 1951-1952.

The larger circle, named the Manza (万座) circle, has a diameter of 46 metres and is the largest stone circle found in Japan. Several reconstructions of

Jomon period dwellings have been built around the site. The slightly smaller circle, named the Nonakadō (野中堂) circle, is 42 metres in diameter and is around 90 metres away, separated from the Manza circle by Akita Prefectural Route 66. Each circle is made from rounded river stones brought from another river approximately 7 kilometres away. Each circle consists of two concentric rings separated by an open strip approximately 8 metres wide.[2] Each circle contains smaller clusters of stone, including standing stones surrounded by elongated stones in a radiating orientation, forming a sundial pointing toward the sunset on the summer solstice, and allows for calculation of the winter solstice, the vernal equinox and the sun's movements.[3]

Each circle is surrounded by the remains of buildings, storage pits and midden, and clay figurines, clayware and stoneware (including everyday pottery), stone swords and objects have been discovered. Although the form of the stone circles may have been based on the shape of circular settlements, there is no indication of permanent settlement on the site.

UNESCO listing

The site is on the

Jōmon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidō, Northern Tōhoku, and other regions.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Oyu Stone Circles". Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku. Jomon Japan. 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  2. ISBN 3447043296
    .
  3. ISBN 0521776708
    .
  4. ^ "Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regions". UNESCO. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  5. Hokkaidō Government Board of Education
    . Retrieved 9 November 2013.

External links

Media related to Oyu stone circles at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ōyu_Stone_Circles&oldid=1191557038"