Jōmon Coastal Exchange and Obsidian Trade in Japan (c. 14,000–300 BCE)

1. Incipient Jōmon begins; coastal lifeways expand

   Jan 1, 14000 BCELabels: J mon, coastal sites

   • Britannica
   • SLAM

2. Early pottery supports storage and travel planning

   Jan 1, 10500 BCELabels: J mon

   • Britannica
   • WorldHistory

3. Obsidian sourcing emerges as a trade tool

   Jan 1, 8000 BCELabels: obsidian, volcanic source

   • Britannica
   • J mon period

4. Coastal shell middens show long-term shoreline use

   Jan 1, 4500 BCELabels: shell middens, coastal sites

   • Tagoyano
   • Britannica

5. Sannai-Maruyama grows into a major exchange hub

   Jan 1, 3900 BCELabels: Sannai Maruyama, northern Honshu

   • Sannai Maruyama
   • Jomon Japan

6. Middle Jōmon sedentism strengthens regular trade

   Jan 1, 3000 BCELabels: Middle J, sedentism

   • Britannica
   • Sannai Maruyama

7. Wada Pass obsidian travels long distances

   Jan 1, 2500 BCELabels: Wada Pass, Nagano obsidian

   • Wada Pass
   • J mon period

8. Non-local prestige materials reinforce exchange ties

   Jan 1, 2500 BCELabels: prestige goods, Sannai Maruyama

   • Sannai Maruyama
   • Jomon Japan

9. Sannai-Maruyama declines; networks re-balance

   Jan 1, 2300 BCELabels: Sannai Maruyama, decline

   • Sannai Maruyama
   • Britannica

10. Northern stone-circle centers reflect regional interaction

    Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: stone circles, mori Katsuyama

    • mori
    • Jomon Japan

11. Final Jōmon transitions reshape exchange priorities

    Jan 1, 1000 BCELabels: Final J, exchange networks

    • Britannica
    • WorldHistory

12. Yayoi period begins; Jōmon exchange era closes

    Jan 1, 300 BCELabels: Yayoi period, period transition

    • Britannica
    • SLAM