Hamashiriya Shell Mound

is a Muromachi period archaeological site consisting of a series of shell midden and the remains of an adjacent settlement located of the village of Higashidōri on the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of far northern Japan. It is protected by the central government as a National Historic Site.

Located near Cape Shiriyazaki at the far northeast top of the Shimokita Peninsula, the site consists of a series of 14 shell middens dating from the early 14th to the mid-15th centuries AD. A unique feature of these shell middens is that they consist almost exclusively of abalone shells, with an average diameter of around six centimeters. Also on the site were the remains of ovens and the foundation holes for several buildings and wells. Both Japanese and Chinese coins and fragments of both Japanese and Chinese ceramics were discovered as well. These finds led archaeologists to the conclusion that the site was an early factory for the production of dried abalone, which was in great demand as a product for trade with China at the time. It is uncertain of any trade took place directly from this site with China, although the presence of Chinese coins and ceramics raises the possibility.

There are no public facilities at the site.

See also
List of Historic Sites of Japan (Aomori)

References

External links
Higashidōri home page 
Aomori Prefectural government site 

Category:Higashidōri, Aomori
Category:Muromachi period
Category:Shell middens in Japan
Category:Archaeological sites in Japan
Category:History of Aomori Prefecture
Category:Historic Sites of Japan