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II. C. Major Research Findings
II.C.1 Field Observations
While a number of specific analyses are underway in the affiliated labs
of project participants at the University of Washington, Harvard, Hokkaido
University, and Sakhalin Regional Museum, preliminary findings can be presented
on the basis of field observations. In all cases, these observations are
based on the results of a preliminary and necessarily incomplete first
season of survey over a large region, and more fieldwork can be expected
to lead to substantial revision.
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1. The archaeological team located, documented and tested a total of 11
archaeological sites in the Kuril Archipelago and 5 in southern Sakhalin
Island.
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2. While the age ranges of archaeological sites remains speculative pending
the result of radiocarbon analyses, the Kurils appear to have been occupied,
at least intermittently from the terminal Jomon period ("Epi-Jomon" or
"Zoku-Jomon") of about 3000 BP to recent centuries. In at least two instances,
ceramic data may relate to somewhat earlier occupation (on Matua and Chirpoi
Islands).
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3. Occupation of the central Kurils (Chirpoi to Onekotan Islands) was sparse,
and, in all cases, settlement was limited to a relatively small number
of locations on larger islands with fresh water streams, good beaches,
and reasonably flat surfaces. In spite of this, substantial settlements,
often with numerous semisubterranean houses were established throughout
the Kurils in prehistory. Many of these settlements appear to date to the
Okhotsk (ca. 700 - 1100 AD) and Ainu (ca. 1100 - 1945 AD) periods, although
the earlier Epi-Jomon remains are found in some large sites of the central
Kurils. Discovery of Jomon or Epi-Jomon cord marked ceramics on the island
of Matua extend the geographical distribution of this culture farther northeast
in the Kuril Islands than had been previously known.
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4. Preliminary observations indicate the geomorphic landscape history of
the islands is complex. Due to their location in a tectonic subduction
zone, the islands are subject to episodic periods of faulting, uplift,
submergence, and volcanic activity with impacts varying significantly from
island to island and even within a single valley (e.g., Nemo Bay on Onekotan).
In many locations, Holocene volcanic activity has disturbed island ecology
and geomorphology, likely burying archaeological sites of earlier times
but also providing potentially invaluable chronological markers. In addition
to natural environmental impacts on the archaeological record, we observed
significant disturbance by WWII activities (including Japanese defensive
installations and American bombing missions), as well as post W.W.II, Soviet
military installations and associated activities.
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5. Probably because of the acidic nature of the predominantly volcanic
sediment, archaeological deposits in the Kurils tended to lack well preserved
organic remains, including fauna. Nevertheless, we were successful in locating
and sampling several preserved archaeological faunal deposits. These are
currently being identified in the University of Washington archaeology
laboratory. Preliminary evidence suggests that sea mammals, fish, birds
and shellfish were the predominant targets of prehistoric hunter-gatherers.
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6. In one very interesting excavation at the Peschanaya Bay site on Chirpoi
Island, we discovered two sets of sea lion skulls placed at cardinal directions
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7. Thorough testing of the Nemo Bay site on northern Onekotan Island resolved
a mystery that had been partially responsible for initial interest in an
archaeological investigation of the Kuril Islands. A series of large raised
rings (ca. 8-15 meters in diameter) have been found to be effectively devoid
of archaeological remains. Based on the nature of the features (some withsquare depressions in their centers) and US military maps from the early
World War II era, we now conclude that these features were Japanese military
installations, possibly decoy anti-aircraft positions, used in the early
1940s and then cleaned out. Similar features with remnant gun footings
as well as bunkers can be found on the terrace surrounding the Nemo Bay
valley. While the large rings turn out to be of recent origin, we did locate
evidence of a considerably older, prehistoric site in Nemo Bay. Several
water-worn stone tools and flakes were recovered at the outlet of the valley
stream, suggesting that hunter-gatherers had camped in the dune fields
close to the ocean several hundred if not several thousand year ago and
that river erosion and wind deflation subsequently eroded these deposits.
II.C.2. Ongoing analyses:
Laboratory research is currently underway to better justify and revise
the above conclusions and to address a number of additional research topics:
University of Washington (USA)
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Charcoal samples are under analysis to identify prehistoric wood use (local
vs. driftwood) and eventually, where possible, patterns of species use.
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A set of approximately 30 radiocarbon samples selected from critical strata
of Kuril and Sakhalin sites will soon be sent to an AMS facility for dating.
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Archaeological faunal samples are being cleaned, labeled, and cataloged
to the closest taxonomic level. These samples will then be analyzed for
spatial and temporal patterns of changing resource use, changes in the
distribution of endemic fauna, and human impacts on indigenous populations.
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Stone flakes/discarded chips removed in the process of tool production
are being analyzed to identify stone raw materials used. Geographical variation
will be used to identify changes in human migration/trade. Parallel study
of local rock types represented in beach sand and gravel deposits will
seek to identify previously unknown local raw material sources.
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Site maps and site locations are being transferred to computer files for
settlement pattern analysis and publication.
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A comprehensive archaeological database is being compiled that joins site
files, artifact data, digital photographs, and soon, the results of the
several other analyses discussed here. This database will soon be integrated
into the IKIP Archy Web site for sharing of research results/resources
between project participants and others.
Harvard (USA)
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Dr. Carole Mandryk is studying prepared profile drawings and sediment samples
from archaeological stratigraphy to characterize the history of archaeological
site formation and to reconstruct aspects of the environment at the time
of past human occupation. Through this work, and in collaboration with
Dr. Ishizuka's work, Dr. Mandryk will be able to correlate archaeological
and volcanic events and ultimately lead to greater understanding of the
effects of volcanic eruption and sedimentation on island biota (non-human
and human). Similar studies are ongoing concerning landscape geomorphology,
as indicative of dynamic variability in past landscapes (sea level, seismic
activity, etc.).
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Dr. Mandryk is also analyzing sediment series for evidence of prehistoric
pollen and botanical macrofossils to reconstruct paleoecological change
in different parts of the Kuril chain.
Historical Museum of Hokkaido (Japan)
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Dr. Kaoru Tezuka is analyzing pottery decorations from ceramic fragments
found in the Kurils to better link central and northern Kuril culture history
with the more thoroughly research ceramic phases of Hokkaido and the southernmost
Kurils.
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Dr. Tezuka is also conducting ethnohistoric studies and literature review
of Japanese sources describing the rituals of animal sacrifice and household
ritual. This information will be critical to the interpretation of the
sea lion skulls found buried at the Peschanaya Bay site on Chirpoi Island.
Hokkaido University (Japan)
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Volcanic ash and pyroclastic rock samples are under analysis by Dr. YoshihiroIshizuka. He is characterizing the mineral content of volcanic ejecta by
means of x-ray diffraction (XRF) methods to develop mineral signatures
of specific eruption events, which will allow inter-island correlation.
Radiocarbon analysis of organic remains (charcoal and paleosols) bracketing
volcanic samples will help to assign chronometric ages to specific eruptions.
Dr. Ishizuka is combining these results with geomorphological data to interpret
the landscape effects of volcanic eruption and sedimentation.
Sakhalin Regional Museum (Russia)
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Dr. Valerii Shubin and his team are preparing and analyzing site plans
made during the field season. These plans are then being converted to computer
format at the University of Washington.
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All formal tools (ceramics, stone and bone tools, metal objects, etc.)
from the Kuril and Sakhalin archaeological research, catalogued by the
American archaeological team in the field, analyzed by Dr. Shubin and his
associates. These tools form the primary evidence for placing these sites
into the skeletal culture history of the Kurils and southern Sakhalin.
They also provide some of the most direct evidence for human activities
performed at different locations.
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While Dr. Shubin has investigated archaeological sites of all periods and
throughout the Kurils, his primary interest there is in the remains of
Russian American period occupation (ca. 18th and 19th
centuries AD). Shubin has spent over 20 years excavating a Russian American
period settlement on Urup Island. He is currently pulling together evidence
recovered this past summer pertaining to this intriguing occupation phase
throughout the archipelago, as well as preparing a manuscript on the history
of archaeological research of all periods in the Kuril chain.
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