Chitose Bibi Sites
Bibi IV Site · Chitose City cluster
Jomon (Early to Late, 5000–400 BCE, key Bibi IV Early Jomon)·Jomon (Hokkaido)·🇯🇵 Hokkaido, Chitose City, Ishikari Plain watershed between Chitose and Bibi Rivers, Japan
About
About Chitose Bibi Sites
Jomon settlement cluster on low watershed between Chitose (Sea of Japan) and Bibi (Pacific) rivers southeast of Chitose City, 20 m elevation. Bibi IV yields Early Jomon animal-shaped clay object (Bibi-chan) and Jomon masks, while Suehiro marks Type II settlement model 205–245 ka; Uenae on right bank Bibi River 9 miles south documents Hokkaido Wilds watershed portage between coasts.
Why it mattersJomon watershed village cluster linking Sea of Japan and Pacific via Bibi–Yufutsu portage
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Watershed portage function vs permanent village — seasonal fishing camp?
- 02Bibi-chan figurine meaning — ritual or toy
Theories
- 01Ishikari–Yufutsu watershed corridor model for Hokkaido Jomon maritime exchange
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.5000 BCE
- Period
- Jomon (Early to Late, 5000–400 BCE, key Bibi IV Early Jomon)
- Culture
- Jomon (Hokkaido)
- Builders
- Jomon fishers and foragers
- Purpose
- Watershed settlement connecting Sea of Japan–Pacific via Bibi–Yufutsu
- Abandoned
- c.400 BCE
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.5000 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1048 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
42.8210° N · 141.6509° E · 20 m · 2 mapped features
Bibi IV animal figurine locus
settlementExcavation yielding Bibi-chan zoomorphic clay object and stone rods (30–70 cm)
42.8213° N · 141.6512° EUenae headland site
settlementProminent Bibi River headland truncated by highway with Middle Jomon pottery
42.8150° N · 141.6450° E