Archaeology of Ryukyu archipelago: shellmound period

Archaeological materials of Ryukyu Archipelago demonstrate the significant peculiarities of cultural processes on this territory starting from the time of initial peopling in the Late Paleolithic (32-30,000 BP) and up to the Middle Ages (X-XI centuries). This is manifested in the different scenarios of maritime adaptation, in the character and time of technological innovations along with the permanent cultural contacts with the neighboring regions. Special place in the Ryukyu archaeological periodization belongs to the time of “Shell mound culture” (10,000 BP - 1100 AD). This was the time of the appearance of local and import (Sobata culture) ceramic styles, possible penetration of rice culture from the South (“Southern Route”), intensification of prestige items trade (“Trail of Shells”), institutionalization of tribal elites, and the development of burial rituals.