The nation's first facility exhibiting an actual shell mound from thousands of years ago has opened in Minami-Soma.
　The Shell Mound　Observation Gallery includes exhibits such as part of the Urajiri Shell Mound, which dates back to the Jomon period (ca 10,000 B.C.-ca 300 B.C.), that was excavated from a nationally designated historic site located nearby.

　数千年前の貝塚を実物展示する全国初の施設「貝塚観察館」が南相馬市にオープンした。近くの国指定史跡で発掘された縄文時代（紀元前１万年頃～紀元前３００年頃）の「浦尻貝塚」の一部を展示している。

　The shell mound was found on the site of what was once a large settlement on an area measuring about seven hectares.
　After the area was designated a historic site in 2006, the Minami-Soma municipal government launched a plan to create a historical park there.

　浦尻貝塚は、縄文時代に形成された面積約７ヘクタールの大規模集落跡。２００６年に国指定を受け、市が史跡公園の整備計画を進めてきた。

　This plan was temporarily halted due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. However, the park is scheduled to be completed during the next fiscal year. The observation gallery has opened ahead of the park.

　２０１１年３月に発生した東日本大震災と東京電力福島第１原発事故の影響で計画は一時中断したが、来年度に公園全体が完成する予定となっている。観察館は史跡公園に先立ちオープンした。

　Shell mounds have typically been exhibited in a cross-sectional panel. However, the observation gallery has successfully displayed an actual piece of the mound as it was cut out of the ground. The accretion of shells and bones from animals, including whales and boars, deposited after being eaten about 5,000 to 5,500 years ago, offers insights into the diverse diet of people living there during the Jomon period.

　貝塚は断面のパネル展示が一般的だが、観察館では土から切り出した貝塚の実物を展示することに成功した。約５５００～５０００年前に縄文人が食べた後で埋めた貝殻やクジラ、イノシシの骨などから、多様な食生活を知ることができる。

　"For the Jomon people, a shell mound was not just a mere trash can," said Tsuyoshi Kawata, an official at the Minami-Soma government's cultural property section. "They carefully piled up the shells, bones and other items in the hope they would regenerate. I hope this exhibition will help people get a feeling for what life was like in the Jomon period."

　南相馬市文化財課の川田強さんは「縄文人にとって貝塚はただの『ごみ箱』ではない。再生の願いを込めて、貝殻や骨などを丁寧に重ねていったものだ。展示を通して縄文時代を感じてほしい」と話している。

　The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

（　Translated by The Japan News　）

　開館時間は午前９時～午後５時。年中無休。入館無料。

　【　２０２３年７月５日付・福島民友新聞掲載　】