Isedotai Stone Circles
Isedotai Iseki · Isedōtai
Late Jomon (2000–1000 BCE)·Late Jomon (northern Tōhoku)·🇯🇵 Akita Prefecture, Kitaakita City, western Tōhoku (Jomon northern Honshu), Japan
About
About Isedotai Stone Circles
Late Jomon ritual stone complex (c.2000–1700 BCE) at Kitaakita, Akita — four large stone circles (largest 45 m dia.) with 200+ river cobble andesite arrangements, sunken pit structures, and adjacent burial pits, excavated 1969–73. Isedotai is the best-preserved inland Jomon stone-circle site in Akita, showing Late Jomon sedentism, long-distance obsidian trade, and solar orientation; part of Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan UNESCO serial nomination (ID 1632-013) alongside Oyu, Komakino and Kiusu.
Why it mattersInland Jomon stone-circle type-site in Akita; demonstrates Late Jomon ritual landscape and hunter-gatherer monumentality without agriculture.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Were circles solar calendars — solstice alignments?
Theories
- 01Communal burial–ritual aggregation for dispersed Jomon hamlets
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.2000–1700 BCE (Late Jomon)
- Period
- Late Jomon (2000–1000 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Jomon (northern Tōhoku)
- Builders
- Jomon hunter-gatherer-fisher communities (Late Jomon)
- Purpose
- Ceremonial stone circle and communal burial-ritual center
- Abandoned
- c.1000 BCE (Jomon Late–Final transition)
- Rediscovered
- 1950s survey; 1969–73 excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2000 BCE
Construction of Circle A (45 m) with andesite cobbles
c.1700 BCE
Circles B–D added; burial pits with red ochre
2021
Inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Jomon Prehistoric Sites (1632-013)
On the ground
Structures & features
40.2031° N · 140.3467° E · 90 m · 2 mapped features
Circle A (Great Circle)
stone circle45 m andesite cobble circle with central standing stone
40.2033° N · 140.3465° ECircle C burial pits
cemeteryRed-ochre burial pits adjacent to Circle C
40.2028° N · 140.3469° E
Gallery