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Prehistoric and Ancient Kyowara
先史時代と古代
The first hunter-gatherers are believed to have reached the Kyonese territories during the Paleolithic period, with the earliest traces of human activity dating back approximately 38,000 to 40,000 years. Due to the highly acidic nature of Kyowara’s soil, few skeletal remains have survived from this era. Nevertheless, the unearthing of distinctive edge-ground stone axes, dated to over 30,000 years ago, is thought to mark the arrival of early Homo sapiens in the region. It is widely accepted that these pioneering peoples traversed the seas to Kyowara using primitive watercraft from what is today known as Skanda. Archaeological evidence from Inoto Cave in Kaito, dated to around 32,000 years ago, and from Eikowa Nobibaru Cave on Daijima Island, dated to approximately 20,000 years ago, further attests to early human settlement. Moreover, there is compelling evidence that Kyowara’s Paleolithic inhabitants engaged with and hunted now-extinct species of megafauna, including the mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) and and extinct species of large birds named Tukais (Raphus tucaicatus). Eruptions of Daichi and Suro calderas caused the southern parts of Kyowara to be uninhabitable for 800 years.
The World Database provides basic intelligence on the nations of Eras.
Kōgen Era
高原時代
The Kōgen Period (c. 14,000 BCE – 300 BCE) occupies a significant and foundational place in Kyonese prehistory. It spans a remarkably long era, divided into various phases, and represents a time when Kyowara was inhabited by a people whose way of life was primarily defined by hunting, gathering, fishing, and a gradual, modest transition towards sedentism. The term "Kōgen" itself, meaning "plateau people" in Kyonese, is derived from the lands which they inhabited frequently — being highlands and meadows. This period is marked not by dramatic shifts but by steady evolution, a testament to the enduring resilience and adaptability of human societies in the face of environmental and societal challenges.
The Kōgen Period is typically divided into six subperiods by modern scholars, based on changes in pottery styles and settlement patterns:
Incipient Kōgen (c. 14,000–7500 BCE)
Initial Kōgen (c. 7500–4000 BCE)
Early Kōgen (c. 4000–2500 BCE)
Middle Kōgen (c. 2500–1500 BCE)
Late Kōgen (c. 1500–1000 BCE)
Final Kōgen (c. 1000–300 BCE)
Each of these phases reflects subtle yet important shifts in technology, economy, and social structure, all while maintaining a core cultural continuity.
The Kōgen Period began in the wake of the last Frost Age. Rising global temperatures led to the formation of a temperate and humid climate across the Kyonese lands. Forests of broad-leaved deciduous trees became widespread, and marine resources flourished along the coasts and rivers. These favourable environmental conditions enabled human groups to settle in relatively stable locations rather than leading strictly nomadic existences, as had been the case in earlier Paleolithic times. Nonetheless, the Kōgen people remained highly attuned to the cycles of nature, maintaining a deep respect for seasonal rhythms.
The economic base of the Kōgen society was diversified and flexible, incorporating hunting, fishing, gathering, and a limited degree of cultivation. Deer, wild boar, fish, shellfish, nuts, and fruits formed the staples of their diet. The richness of the environment allowed for a degree of sedentism unusual for societies reliant upon hunting and gathering. Shell middens, or ancient refuse heaps, are a key archaeological feature of the period. These middens reveal much about Kōgen diets, tools, and settlement patterns. The Kōgen people settled around highlands, used stone and brass tools and their diets were meat-heavy. They also provide early evidence of plant management and, to a limited extent, the domestication of plants such as chestnuts and mushrooms. However, agriculture, as it would later be practised in the Soru Period, was not yet widespread.
Pottery is perhaps the most iconic artefact of Kōgen culture. The earliest vessels were simple, often pointed at the base to allow for stability when set into soft ground. Over time, the pottery became increasingly elaborate, particularly during the Middle Kōgen Period. Vessels were adorned with complex cord-marked patterns, rope-like decorations, and even sculptural forms representing flames, animals, and human figures. The craftsmanship demonstrated by Kōgen artisans indicates not merely a utilitarian function but a sophisticated aesthetic sensibility. Pottery was used for cooking, storage, and ritual purposes, reflecting a society in which symbolic and spiritual dimensions were deeply woven into everyday life. The earlier deities which the Kōgen people were believed to be worshippers of were mostly made of clay, the Fukuyama Woman being one of the oldest surviving idols from the prehistoric Kōgen religion.
Contrary to outdated assumptions of primitive egalitarianism, recent research suggests that Kōgen society may have been more complex. Evidence of differentiated burials, elaborate grave goods, and variations in dwelling size point to the existence of social stratification, albeit in an embryonic form. Villages often consisted of pit dwellings arranged around central open spaces, implying an organised and communal lifestyle. Some larger settlements indicate the development of regional hubs, possibly serving ritual or political functions. Nonetheless, kinship and clan relationships likely remained central to social organisation.
Spirituality played a vital role in Kōgen life. Numerous dogū (clay figurines) have been unearthed, often depicting stylised human forms, possibly representing fertility, shamanistic practices, or protective deities. The exact function of these figurines remains a matter of scholarly debate, but their widespread presence underscores a rich and complex religious life. Stone circles and ritual sites, such as the remarkable Toshiro-Minamikawachi site in Iwa State, further suggest that the Kōgen people engaged in communal religious ceremonies. These practices were deeply intertwined with the cycles of nature and the necessity of maintaining harmony with the surrounding environment.
Kōgen tools reflect ingenuity adapted to local conditions. Stone tools, including axes, arrowheads, and grinding stones, were finely crafted. Bone, antler, and shell were also employed to create hooks, needles, and ornaments. Unlike later periods, the Kōgen people did not practise metalworking. Nevertheless, their mastery of available materials reflects a sophisticated understanding of their properties and potential applications. The emphasis on quality craftsmanship and durable goods is a recurring theme across all phases of the period.
Despite the insularity often attributed to ancient Kyowara, there is evidence of interregional contact during the Kōgen Period. Obsidian from distant sources, shell bracelets from the Hosonagai Island, and similar artefacts indicate the existence of long-distance trade networks. Cultural exchange, while limited compared to later historical periods, played a role in sustaining and enriching the Kōgen way of life, especially with tribes of the south, which are believed to be the predecessors of Moake’ans. The Final Kōgen Period was characterised by considerable environmental and social challenges. Climatic cooling and rising sea levels resulted in reduced agricultural potential and more difficult living conditions. Concurrently, new influences, particularly from Skanda and Aria, began to arrive. These external contacts heralded the gradual end of the Kōgen Period and the beginning of the Soru Period (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE), marked by the introduction of wet-rice agriculture, metallurgy, and more hierarchical social structures. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that the transition was gradual and that elements of Kōgen culture persisted for centuries, particularly in remote regions.
The Kōgen Period bequeathed to Kyowara a legacy of profound spiritual sensitivity, artistic accomplishment, and harmonious coexistence with nature. It embodies a model of sustainable living that, in contemporary times, has gained renewed appreciation. Archaeological discoveries continue to shed light on the Kōgen people’s remarkable achievements. Sites such as Toshiro-Minamikawachi, Sendai Yamato, and the Ishigaki Stone Circles are now recognised as national treasures, and in 1998, a group of Kōgen archaeological sites was inscribed on the National World Heritage List, affirming their cultural significance.
