Kishuku Tea Plantation Site 岐宿茶園遺跡

The Kishuku Board of Education excavated the site in 1997 and discovered several distinct archaeological layers. Remains dating to the early Jomon period (10,000–300 BCE) have been found in the top layers, and what are known as fine stone knives—carefully shaped and remarkably sharp obsidian tools dating to the late Paleolithic period—have been found in the layers below. This was an important discovery, showing that fine stone knife technology developed in Kyushu prior to the Jomon period.

Remains of an ancient settlement

The site of a settlement dating back at least to the ninth century BCE can be found in northern Fukue Island near the mouth of the Wani River. Little remains, though, apart from a large number of shells found in the area. The name comes from the fact that tea was grown here in ancient times.

The Kishuku Board of Education excavated the site in 1997 and discovered several distinct archaeological layers. Remains dating to the early Jomon period (10,000–300 BCE) have been found in the top layers, and what are known as fine stone knives—carefully shaped and remarkably sharp obsidian tools dating to the late Paleolithic period—were found below. This was an important discovery, showing that fine stone knife technology developed in Kyushu prior to the Jomon period.