Abstract
Japanese archaeology has developed as a branch of historical studies of Japan, which resulted in less importance being attached to organic remains than to artifacts. Thus zooarchaeologists' managemant of specimens is looser and unsatisfactory than that of biologists. Recent reference specimens are evidence showing the bases of identification and also materials for comparative osteology. A management system of recent specimens, which includes registration, preservation and description, is necessary to maintain and utilize them in future. On the other hand, large-scale excavations of midden sites in recent years have yielded a great quantity of animal remains, generating serious problems such as shortage of storage space or labor and cost required to cope with them. These problems can not be resolved without public consensus for the specimens. We must make efforts to obtain public understanding of the significance of fossil specimens by showing the history of human- environment relationships plainly.
