Omori Tokyo Shell Mounds 1879 Edward S. Morse

 Memoirs / of the / Science Department / University of Tokio / Volume 1, Part 1 / Shell Mounds of Omori / by / Edward S. Morse / Professor of Zoology, University of Tokio, Japan / Published by the University / Tokio, Japan / Nisshusha Printing Office / 2539 (1879.)

This work is 36 pages, measuring 197mm x 288mm, and it features all 18 double-page folding plates, each in its original placement. However, the original wraps exhibit signs of wear with chips, creases, missing portions, and moderately foxed. Heavy foxing are noted on the front and rear blank pages (chunk missing from top right corner) and corresponding areas. Additionally, the pages are starting to separate from the threaded binding.

The pages themselves reveal varying degrees of foxing, with the preface through page 5 showing moderate foxing, while pages 6 to 11 exhibit lighter foxing. In contrast, the pages from 12 to 36 are mostly clean. Notably, the crucial plates remain largely clean, though plate VIII shows heavy foxing, and plate X displays minor foxing.

Due to the fragile nature of the wraps and the interior coming apart in places, we decided to create a Japanese binding for this Morse catalog. This involved disassembling everything, resewing it, and adding stiff covers to the front and back. In this way, we were able to preserve the entirety of the content, including the original wraps, while also adding stability.  

This work is a classic and quite rare.

Photos below show the new binding we added. We believe it works very well.

In 1879, Edward S. Morse, an American zoologist, made a groundbreaking discovery at the Omori Shell Mounds in Tokyo, Japan. These mounds, remnants of ancient shellfish consumption by early inhabitants, became the focus of Morse's archaeological endeavors. Morse, who was living in Japan at the time, recognized the scientific value of these mounds and conducted extensive excavations.

Morse's work at the Omori Shell Mounds yielded a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, and human remains, providing valuable insights into the lifestyle and culture of the Jomon period, a prehistoric era in Japan. His meticulous documentation and analysis of these findings significantly contributed to the understanding of Japan's ancient history and archaeology.

One of Morse's most significant discoveries at the Omori Shell Mounds was the identification of pottery shards with intricate cord markings, characteristic of the Jomon period. These findings helped establish the Jomon culture as one of the world's earliest known pottery-making cultures, dating back to around 14,000–300 BCE.

Edward S. Morse's work at the Omori Shell Mounds not only expanded our knowledge of Japan's prehistoric past but also laid the foundation for modern archaeological practices in Japan. His efforts remain a testament to the importance of careful excavation and documentation in uncovering the secrets of ancient civilizations.