BI001002 Introduction to Japanese Archaeology

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School School of Letters

Lecture Code BI001002 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 考古学入門

Subject Name
（Katakana）コウコガクニュウモン

Subject Name in
English Introduction to Japanese Archaeology

Instructor ARIMATSU YUI,UEDA NAOYA

Instructor
(Katakana) アリマツ　ユイ,ウエダ　ナオヤ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, 4Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (4T) Weds1-4：LET B253

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Lecture, Powerpoint

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 09 : Archaeology/Cultural Heritage

Eligible Students for 1st year students

Keywords History, Japanese Archaeology, Archaeology of Near and Middle Eastern Asia, Ancient civilization, cultural property, cultural heritage, World Heritage

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Fundamental knowledge for archeology
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Geography, Archaeology, and Cultural Heritage
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・Acquisition of wider views to consider issues interdisciplinarily and comprehensively

Class Objectives
/Class Outline Our goal is to understand the fundamental methodologies and concepts of archaeology. Through studying major archaeological sites and cultures in Japan and West Asia, we will grasp the flow of history while also gaining basic knowledge about the significance of cultural heritage, including archaeological sites, and the importance of their preservation.
Archaeology is the study of uncovering the activities of past human societies. By analyzing buried ruins and artifacts, we can interpret the lives, societies, and cultures of people from ancient times. In this course, we will explore the significance and fascination of archaeology through topics related to Japanese archaeology, West Asian archaeology, and cultural heritage.

Class Schedule Session 1 What is Archaeology? Viewing Archaeological Materials
Session 2 Life of People from the Paleolithic to the Jomon Period in the Japanese archipelago
Session 3 Yayoi Period (1): Beginning of Rice Cultivation in the Japanese archipelago
Session 4 Yayoi Period (2): Path to the Emergence of Royal Tombs in the Japanese archipelago Japan
Session 5 Kofun Period (1): Formation of Keyhole-shaped Tombs
Session 6 Kofun Period (2): The Era of Gigantic Burial Mounds and their Characteristics
Session 7 Kofun Period (3): Changes in Burial practices and the End of Kofun Culture
Session 8 Small Test
Session 9 Neolithic Period: Beginning of Agriculture and Social Changes in Near East
Session 10 Chalcolithic Period: Origins of Civilization, the Oldest Cities, and the Oldest Writing in Mesopotamia
Session 11 Bronze Age: Society and Culture of Ancient Mesopotamian States
Session 12 Iron Age: The Assyrian Empire and the Achaemenid Persian Empire, their archaeological sites
Session 13 Introduction to the World Heritage (1): International Agreements on the Protection and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
Session 14 Introduction to World Heritage (2): International Agreements and Efforts for the Utilization of Cultural Heritage
Session 15 Small Test

Final examination

Text/Reference
Books,etc. Handouts

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Text, Handouts, Microsoft Teams

(More Details) Whiteboard, Powerpoint

Learning techniques to be incorporated Quizzes/ Quiz format

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review To be announced.

Requirements

Grading Method The overall results of the small tests will be used to make a decision.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message Archaeology is a discipline that unravels historical mysteries. While it may be commonly associated with the study of prehistoric times, archaeology also investigates medieval, modern, and even relatively recent history, such as events from 50 years ago. Through this lecture series, you will gain new perspectives on history and social culture. Let us embark on a journey to explore our roots and understand how our present world has been shaped by the past.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2025Year	School/Graduate School	School of Letters
Lecture Code	BI001002	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	考古学入門
Subject Name （Katakana）	コウコガクニュウモン
Subject Name in English	Introduction to Japanese Archaeology
Instructor	ARIMATSU YUI,UEDA NAOYA
Instructor (Katakana)	アリマツ　ユイ,ウエダ　ナオヤ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, 4Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(4T) Weds1-4：LET B253
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Lecture, Powerpoint
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	09 : Archaeology/Cultural Heritage
Eligible Students	for 1st year students
Keywords	History, Japanese Archaeology, Archaeology of Near and Middle Eastern Asia, Ancient civilization, cultural property, cultural heritage, World Heritage
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Fundamental knowledge for archeology
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Geography, Archaeology, and Cultural Heritage （Knowledge and Understanding）・Acquisition of wider views to consider issues interdisciplinarily and comprehensively
Class Objectives /Class Outline	Our goal is to understand the fundamental methodologies and concepts of archaeology. Through studying major archaeological sites and cultures in Japan and West Asia, we will grasp the flow of history while also gaining basic knowledge about the significance of cultural heritage, including archaeological sites, and the importance of their preservation. Archaeology is the study of uncovering the activities of past human societies. By analyzing buried ruins and artifacts, we can interpret the lives, societies, and cultures of people from ancient times. In this course, we will explore the significance and fascination of archaeology through topics related to Japanese archaeology, West Asian archaeology, and cultural heritage.
Class Schedule	Session 1 What is Archaeology? Viewing Archaeological Materials Session 2 Life of People from the Paleolithic to the Jomon Period in the Japanese archipelago Session 3 Yayoi Period (1): Beginning of Rice Cultivation in the Japanese archipelago Session 4 Yayoi Period (2): Path to the Emergence of Royal Tombs in the Japanese archipelago Japan Session 5 Kofun Period (1): Formation of Keyhole-shaped Tombs Session 6 Kofun Period (2): The Era of Gigantic Burial Mounds and their Characteristics Session 7 Kofun Period (3): Changes in Burial practices and the End of Kofun Culture Session 8 Small Test Session 9 Neolithic Period: Beginning of Agriculture and Social Changes in Near East Session 10 Chalcolithic Period: Origins of Civilization, the Oldest Cities, and the Oldest Writing in Mesopotamia Session 11 Bronze Age: Society and Culture of Ancient Mesopotamian States Session 12 Iron Age: The Assyrian Empire and the Achaemenid Persian Empire, their archaeological sites Session 13 Introduction to the World Heritage (1): International Agreements on the Protection and Restoration of Cultural Heritage Session 14 Introduction to World Heritage (2): International Agreements and Efforts for the Utilization of Cultural Heritage Session 15 Small Test Final examination
Text/Reference Books,etc.	Handouts
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Text, Handouts, Microsoft Teams
(More Details)	Whiteboard, Powerpoint
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Quizzes/ Quiz format
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	To be announced.
Requirements
Grading Method	The overall results of the small tests will be used to make a decision.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	Archaeology is a discipline that unravels historical mysteries. While it may be commonly associated with the study of prehistoric times, archaeology also investigates medieval, modern, and even relatively recent history, such as events from 50 years ago. Through this lecture series, you will gain new perspectives on history and social culture. Let us embark on a journey to explore our roots and understand how our present world has been shaped by the past.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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