Lifestyles and Traditions - History
Bronze swords, iron spears, earthenware and etc. have been excavated from Takeda Ruins in Ama Town. The site dates back to the Late Yayoi Period, and is the only location in Oki where Yayoi bronze implements were found. In addition, the ruins of a moated settlement were found in other ruins in the town, which indicates that there was already a considerable scale of settlement during this period. This shows Oki was one of the important locations among the ancient nations.
Many kofun burial mounds were constructed in Oki during the Kofun Period. Including the 48-meter-long Hei Shrine Burial Mound, there are around 10 keyhole-shaped mounds, and around 200 circular-type tumuli. As for square type tumuli, including corridor-type tumuli of the Late Kofun Period, there are more than 300 on Dōgo Island alone.
Recent discoveries include magatama (curved, comma-shaped beads) made from blue agate and crystal mined in Oki, and copper bowls (Buddhist objects), which are said to be introduced from China, were unearthed at Oza Nishi Burial Mound (no. 2) in Nishida, Okinoshima Town. From this, it can be considered that Oki was the meeting place of culture in ancient times.
