Hokuto Archaeological Site
Leaving the Walkway Loop at Hidamari Square, visitors arrive at the observatory with its view of the Hokuto Archaeological Site. This area is believed to have been continuously inhabited from the Palaeolithic period more than 10,000 years ago to the Satsumon period (700–1200). Throughout this long time span, the people of the area lived in pit dwellings. There are 102 circular and oval shallow pits that were built in the Jomon and Post-Jomon periods (14,000 BCE–700CE), and 232 square-shaped pits from the Satsumon period. Excavations so far have unearthed traces of fireplaces from the Palaeolithic period, and dwellings, tombs, and shell mounds from the Jomon period. In addition, ironware, textile relics, parts of weaving looms, dwellings, and the seeds of cultivated plants from the Satsumon period have all been discovered.