A Critical Look at the Palaeolithic and "Lower Palaeolithic" Research in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

After talking to the principal investigators, OKAMURA and KAMATA, and a thorough study of the relevant publications and the lithics themselves, we have concluded that no proven artifacts of human origin predating 30, 000 B. P. exist in Miyagi prefecture. The claims of OKAMURA, KAMATA, and some other Miyagi archaeologists that they have discovered a "Lower Palaeolithic" there are based on flawed research and are dubious claims. The artifactual database for the Miyagi Palaeolithic is extremely small and much of it has been picked out of road and field cuttings. Several obviously Jomon artifacts are being called Palaeolithic, the oldest lithics are probably not artifacts, and the dates being assigned to the geological strata by the archaeologists disagree with the actual age measurements published by the dating specialists. Furthermore, sensationalizing these very controversial finds in the press is unethical.