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Jomon Period
Japan Time Line Edo Period Momoyama Period Muromachi Period Kamakura Period Heian Period Nara Period Asuka Period Kofun Period Yayoi Period

From This Period

Deep Jar
Deep Jar

Jomon Period

ca. 11,000 - 300 B.C.

The gradual melting of Ice Age glaciers caused the sea level to rise and isolate Japan from the Asian mainland around 11,000 B.C. Early Neolithic inhabitants were nomadic hunters and gatherers, but they slowly began to settle in semi-permanent villages. The period takes its name from the rope (jo) patterns (mon) found on earthenware vessels. Beginning in the mid-Jomon period, potters created highly sculptural deep pots, as well as clay figurines.