Abstract

★Exploring the Relationship Between the Sweeping Currents of History and Natural Disasters
★Archaeology for Understanding Disasters in the Present and Future

In this book, the author, an archaeologist who has spent many years working with buried cultural properties as an official of Hyogo Prefecture, offers an accessible account of the major historical developments from the Paleolithic period to the Heian period, exploring how disasters of the past relate to those we face today and may encounter in the future.

Readers will discover key archaeological topics while considering the impact of disasters, including volcanic eruptions and the evolution of tools, the introduction of rice cultivation and flooding, internationalization and human-caused disasters, and Buddhism and the devastation caused by major earthquakes.

The book also examines archaeological excavations conducted during reconstruction projects following the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as issues surrounding cultural properties amid increasingly diverse values. Combining engaging historical insights with contemporary relevance, this is a valuable new introduction to archaeology and disaster studies, recommended as an essential part of a well-rounded education.

Author’s Information

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