Rebun Archaeological Field School

13/04/2026

[ The 2nd Application Round for HSI 2026 is Now Open!]
　　
The 2nd Application for HSI 2026 has opened!

📝 How to Apply
Visit the official HSI website and go to the “Application for Admission” page:
https://hokkaidosummerinstitute.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/en/

⏰ Application Deadline
April 20 (Mon), 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)
We recommend that you complete your application as early as possible.

Apply now and join HSI2026 for the experience you will never forget!

31/03/2026

04/01/2026

2026年新春　
あけましておめでとうございます。
2026年も8月1日から国際フィールドスクールを実施します。詳細は1月中に公開予定です。皆さんの参加をお待ちしております。
A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!
Our International Field School in Rebun Island will also be held from 1st August 2026.
Details are scheduled for release during January 2026.
We look forward to your participation.

27/08/2025

27th Aug.
This year's international field school at the Hamanaka 2 archaeological site has concluded successfully.
We were able to conduct our survey thanks to the support of many local residents.
We appreciate them.
This year, 50 students from 10 countries participated.
Each participant is now returning home with many memories.
We thank the participants for their efforts and contributions.
See you again someday on Rebun Island.

25/08/2025

25th Aug.
The field school is now in its final week.
The weather forecast is telling us that tomorrow will be rainy.
Tomorrow's work will be organizing the excavated materials.
Today is scheduled to be the last day of excavations for this school year.
School children from Funadomari Elementary School visited the site at noon.
They asked many questions.
Interesting materials have been found at the site.
Excavation of the study area has not been completed this year, so the survey will continue next year.

23/08/2025

23rd Aug.
The third week is over.
With the effort and cooperation of the participants, the study area was delineated considerably.
The Okhotsk culture layer was excavated with pottery fragments of the ‘Kokumon’ (engraved stamp) type, ‘Chinsenmon’ (incised line) type, and Masatsushiki-Fumon (raised pattern) type potteries.
A rare end scraper was also excavated.
Canine bones continue to be excavated from the Epi-Jomon culture layer.
An obsidian 'piece esquire' was also found.

22/08/2025

22 Aug.
We are now in the second half of the survey.
We were able to confirm the presence of remains in Layer VII (Epi-Jomon Culture).
The remains of three overlap with each other.

21/08/2025

21 Aug.
A large number of canine bones are excavated from the layer of the Epi-Jomon culture (layer VII).
A barbed bone spear was also excavated today.
The living structure of the Okhotsk culture seems to be quite well constructed.

20/08/2025

20 Aug.
During the day, there were showers of rain.
Many archaeological artifacts have been unearthed at the site.
A large number of pottery pieces, dog skulls, and bi-faces have been found.
Today is Dr. Peter Hommel's last day.
He has been with us since the start of the survey.
Thank you very much for your participation.

18/08/2025

18th Aug.
The third week has begun.
First-year and undergraduate students from Hokkaido University have joined us.
Mr. Sawa's workshop is very popular with the students. Interesting works are being created one after another.
A large number of bone needles, pottery, and dog skulls have been found at the site.

16/08/2025

16th Aug.
Today is the last day of the second week.
Iron artefacts have been unearthed from the upper abalone layer. Grinding stones have been unearthed from the layer corresponding to the end of the Satsumon culture and the Okhotsk culture. They appear to be portable grinding stones.
In addition, Towada-type pottery has been unearthed from the layer corresponding to the early Okhotsk culture.
In the southwestern part of the survey area, a child's grave believed to be from the Towada phase has been found.
Dog bones and flakes are concentrated in the layer from the Epi-Jomon culture.
Although there are a few artefacts in the layer from the late Jomon culture, pottery and stone tools continue to be found.