Japanese Prehistory: The Material and Spiritual Culture of the Jomon Period (Asien-und Afrika-Studien der Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin)

A clearly written general introduction to the prehistory of Japan in the Jomon period, c.11,000 to 300 BC. Naumann's study includes an up-to-date review of archaeological evidence on sites, monuments, textiles, pottery, terracottas and tools. A large part of the book considers the ritual and spiritual aspects of the period, the burials, ritual objects, belief systems, imagery and symbolism of particular objects, revealing a less than primitive system of religious thought.