Table 1
Periodisation and approximate dates used in the database. Based on Barnes [20].
| PERIOD | GENERIC PERIOD | DATE RANGE BCE/CE |
|---|---|---|
| Palaeolithic | Palaeolithic | Up to 14,520 BCE |
| Incipient Jōmon | Jōmon/Neolithic | 14,520–10,550 BCE |
| Initial Jōmon | Jōmon/Neolithic | 10,550–5050 BCE |
| Early Jōmon | Jōmon/Neolithic | 5050–3520 BCE |
| Middle Jōmon | Jōmon Neolithic | 3520–2470 BCE |
| Late Jōmon | Jōmon/Neolithic | 2470–1250 BCE |
| Final Jōmon (southwest Japan) | Jōmon/Neolithic | 1250–970 BCE |
| Final Jōmon (northeast Japan) | Jōmon/Neolithic | 1250–400 BCE |
| Initial Yayoi | Yayoi-Kofun | 1000–800 BCE |
| Early Yayoi | Yayoi-Kofun | 800–450 BCE |
| Middle Yayoi | Yayoi-Kofun | 450 BCE–50 CE |
| Late Yayoi | Yayoi-Kofun | 50–250 CE |
| Early Kofun | Yayoi-Kofun | 50–400 CE |
| Middle Kofun | Yayoi-Kofun | 400–500 CE |
| Late Kofun | Yayoi-Kofun | 500–710 CE |
| Epi-Jōmon (Hokkaidō) | Yayoi-Kofun | 340 BCE–700 CE |
| Okhotsk | Medieval Hokkaido | 500–1000 CE |
| Satsumon | Medieval Hokkaido | 600–1200 CE |
Figure 1
Distribution of sites listed in the database.
Figure 2
Three shark species identified in Japanese publications on prehistoric art: (A) Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna spp.), (B) Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), and (C) Blue shark (Prionace glauca). (Illustrations from Wikimedia Commons, not to the same scale)
Figure 3
Three fish species identified in Japanese publications on prehistoric art: (D) masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou), (E) bonito (Katsuwonus pelamis), and (F) mullet (Mugil cephalus or other related species). (Illustrations from Wikimedia Commons, not to the same scale)
Figure 4
Two gastropod shell types identified in Japanese publications on prehistoric art: (G) conch shell (Family Charoniidae), (H) cone shell (Family Conidae), and (I) abalone shell (Family Haliotidae). (Photos from Wikimedia Commons, not to the same scale)
Table 2
List of data columns included in the database.
| FIELD | DESCRIPTION | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Unique ID | A numerical identifier assigned to each representation for unique referencing. This identifier ensures efficient data retrieval and sorting within the dataset | E.g., ID001, ID002, ID003 |
| Depiction type | Categorises the depiction | AA = Animal Alone; F = fishing scene |
| Image | The visual representation under analysis taken from the sources consulted | |
| Zoological Interpretation | Identification of the depicted animal based on the existing literature | |
| Media description | Description of the medium used, providing more context about the material | Pottery or pottery fragment; clay figurine; rock and tomb art; stone objects or tablets; bone or antler object; bronze and iron swords; wooden board; clay bead; sea mammal tooth; haniwa clay sculpture; bronze mirror; iron helmet; bronze bell (dōtaku). |
| Representation technique | Categorises the technique used in the creation of the representation | Incised; painted; carved; relief; sculptured; cast. |
| Functional context | A brief description of the potential functional role or cultural significance of the depiction or the object based on previous studies | Ritualistic; funerary; decorative; utilitarian. |
| Dimensions | Dimensions of the medium or the object | Recorded in centimetres. Divided into three columns (length, width and height). Where necessary, further details are given in the notes column. |
| Period | Cultural-historical period associated with each record | E.g., Middle Jōmon, Early Yayoi, Late Kofun |
| Maximum time range | The oldest possible date range for the representation | |
| Minimum time range | The most recent date range for the representation | |
| Site | The name of the archaeological site where the entry was found | |
| Site name in Japanese | The name of the archaeological site in Japanese characters | |
| Site type | Classification of the site helping to contextualise the depiction within its archaeological environment | Settlement, burial site, ritual site, mounded tomb (kofun). |
| Town/City | The modern town or city where the archaeological site is located | |
| Prefecture | The administrative region in Japan where the site is located | |
| Region | The larger geographical region of Japan in which the site is situated, i.e., Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Kinki, Kyushu. (As shown in Fig. 1, there were no examples from Shikoku). | |
| Latitude | The latitude of the archaeological site. Latitudes follow those given in the published site reports in WGS 84 format. In cases where geographic coordinates were not published, the location was estimated from Google Maps. | |
| Longitude | The longitude of the archaeological site. Longitudes follow those given in the published site reports in WGS 84 format. In cases where geographic coordinates were not published, the location was estimated from Google Maps. | |
| Image Source | The publication or database from which the image was obtained | |
| Reference | A citation of the source from which the data has been drawn |