Tectonic Archaeology

Subduction Zone Geology in Japan and its Archaeological Implications

Gina L. Barnes

• Publisher: Archaeopress Access Archaeology
• Year: 2022
• Topic: Social Sciences
• eBook ISBN:
  9781803274003
• Subtopic: Archaeology
• Index: Social Sciences

The effects of tectonic processes on archaeological sites are evidenced by earthquake damage, volcanic eruptions, and tsunami destruction. However, these processes affect a far broader sphere of landform structures, environment, and even climate that envelops an archaeological site and triggers human behavioural activities.Tectonic processes derive directly or indirectly from Plate Tectonics and associated magmatic activity of the Earth's mantle. This volume thus provides a primer on crucial subduction- and suprasubduction-zone processes due to Plate Tectonics, where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are generated. After a general survey of how tectonic effects are dealt with in geoarchaeology, Part I details how these processes are applied to understand the Japanese landmass's development, from continental accretion to volcanic archipelago, as a world-standard example. A full glossary of geological terms is included for easy reference.This is followed by detailed examinations of Japan's tectonic archaeologies in Part II: TephroArchaeology, Earthquake Archaeology, and Tsunami Archaeology. Part III summarizes and critiques the authors' own geoarchaeological fieldwork in Japan which was underwritten by a clear exposition of its geological and geomorphological background. Looking holistically at a locale and its development through geological time is fruitful in understanding the lay of the land, its resources, and its hazards that affect human occupation potential.

Table of contents

• Cover
• About Access Archaeology
• Copyright Information
• Contents
• Title Page
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 Tectonic Archaeology vs Geoarchaeology
• PART I A GEOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE JAPANESE ISLANDS
• Chapter 2 A Primer in Plate Tectonica, with Specific Reference to Japan
• Chapter 3 The Palaeogeographic Compliation of teh Japanese Landmass
• Chapter 4 Shaping the Japanese Archipelago
• Chapter 5 Making Japan's Mountains and Basins
• Chapter 6 Japan's Igneous Activity & Volcanic Arcs
• Chapter 7 Tephra-derived Soils of japan in comparitive context
• Part I Reflections
• PART II THE TECTONIC ARCHAEOLOGIES OF JAPAN
• Chapter 8 TephroArchaeology
• Chapter 9 Earthquake Archaeology
• Chapter 10 Tsunami Archaeology
• Chapter 11 The Inter-relatedness of Tectonics & Hazard Research
• Chapter 12 True jades, False Friends
• Part II Reflections
• PART III NARA BASIN STUDIES
• Chapter 13 Nara Basin Geology & Geomorphology
• Chapter 14 Geoarchaeological Studies in Nara, Japan: the Intergrated Findings
• Chapter 15 Acid Soils and Acid Rocks
• Part II Reflections
• VOLUME CONCLUSIONS
• Appendices
• Classified Index
• Glossary of East Asian Words
• Glossary & Index of Geological Terms