Ancient City of Cist Northfield
Ubaid (6500–3800 BCE)·Ubaid·🇯🇵 Iwate Prefecture, Japan
About
About Ancient City of Cist Northfield
Ancient City of Cist Northfield in Iwate Prefecture, Japan is a Ubaid (6500–3800 BCE) ancient city attributed to Ubaid culture. Systematically investigated through ground-penetrating radar and coring, it presents a fortified nucleus with necropolis. Construction employs rubble core with facing and demonstrates long-distance exchange. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Ubaid ancient-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cause of abandonment and collapse
- 02Chronology and phasing of monuments
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
- 02Astronomical observatory and calendar
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4970 BCE
- Period
- Ubaid (6500–3800 BCE)
- Culture
- Ubaid
- Purpose
- Defensive and administrative
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4970 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 4170 BCE
Major expansion and monumental elaboration
c. 863 BCE
Rebuilding and fortification phase
1960
Modern archaeological excavation and survey
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5213° N · 142.2377° E · 1150 m · 3 mapped features
Outlier Panel
petroglyphOutlier feature with standing stones
38.5232° N · 142.2375° EPrincipal Monument
moundPrimary ancient city at Ancient City of Cist Northfield — megalithic chamber
38.5216° N · 142.2387° ENecropolis Extension
granaryOutlier feature with cup marks
38.5228° N · 142.2405° E