Volcanic activity and its influence on Jomon society (based on archaeological sites located on Japanese archipelago)

The important factor, that had a major influence on the environment, human beings and culture of Jōmon period (16 500-2350 B.P.), was a high level of seismic activity. The volcanic nature of Japanese archipelago and associated with this cataclysmic eruption, disaster earthquakes and tsunami resulted to significant environment and landscape changes. Volcanic ash layers are excellent markers which let us trace the boundaries between stages within Jomon period. Also they provide a unique opportunity to make a correlation of various cultural elements throughout the country and are used as base for archaeological sites dating. The problem of volcanic activity dramatic impact on the nature and ancient society is the independent and dynamic developing field in the study of the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene cultures, which were located around the “Pacific Ring of Fire”.