Kayano Site

The Kayano ruins are a significant archaeological site from the late Jōmon period, located in Shintō, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. This site, uncovered during an agricultural project in 1989, has revealed well-preserved foundations of pit dwellings and tombs, suggesting it was a large settlement approximately 2500 to 3000 years ago. Excavations have unearthed a wealth of artifacts, including Jōmon pottery shards, stone tools, clay figurines, and a substantial number of earthenware earrings, which might indicate a production site for trade goods. The discovery of a dogū clay figurine wearing earrings underscores the cultural significance of these artifacts. The site has been recognized as a National Historic Site and the excavated items are preserved in the Shintō Village Museum of Earrings.