Dr. Simon Kainer, an archaeologist from the University of East Anglia with a deep focus on prehistoric Japan, joins to unravel the captivating tales of the Jomon culture. He discusses the arrival of the first humans and their remarkable hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Listeners will learn about the intriguing stone circles and complex ceramics that showcase advanced craftsmanship. The conversation also probes the sophisticated societal structures of the Jomon, exploring how these ancient developments shaped Japan's cultural identity long before rice farming.