The Neolithic of the Kurile Islands (Russian Far East): Current State and Future Prospects

ABSTRACT

In this article we present a review of the archaeology and chronology of the Neolithic (i.e., pottery-bearing) cultural complexes of the Kurile Islands. Previous studies revealed only general patterns of Neolithic pottery and lithic typologies in the archipelago within a tentative chronological framework. However, recent research has now firmly established an occupation of the southern part of the Kurile Islands dating to as early as ca. 7000 BP. Based on preliminary investigations it appears that major economic activities focused on hunting, fishing (with possible exploitation of coastal fishes), and the gathering of plants. Interestingly, there is as of yet no solid evidence for the widespread use of marine resources (shellfish and mammals) in the Kuriles during the Neolithic, though this issue requires further research due to a dearth of properly excavated sites. Several potentially important sites are also suggested for continuing investigation of Neolithic archaeology in the Kurile Islands which has important ramifications for our understanding of coastal and island adaptations in the North Pacific.

Keywords:

• island colonization
• Northwestern Pacific
• Kurile Islands
• Neolithic
• pottery

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was in part funded by a Faculty Research and Professional Development grant (2010–1882) to Fitzpatrick from North Carolina State University; the Russian RFFI (06-06-80258) to Kuzmin; and the U.S. National Science Foundation (EAR06–22305, 0010835000). We are grateful to several colleagues for help with fieldwork on the Kurile Islands between 1988–2007, and to two anonymous reviewers for useful comments and suggestions which helped us to improve the earlier version of the article.

Notes

1. One reviewer suggested that the term “Neolithic” is uninformative and somewhat contradictory given that it generally describes a new age of lithic biface and flake production and the onset of food production and intensification. They further suggested that the term “Ceramic Horizon” might be more appropriate. But to call the complexes found during this time period “Ceramic” would also not be entirely accurate given that pottery is also found later in time during the Epi-Jomon and Okhotsk complexes. As such, we continue to use this terminology, but recognize that as further research is conducted on the chronology and archaeology of this earlier phase of human settlement, that it may require further revision.