For the first time ever, 6,000-year-old Japanese fishing nets have been digitally resurrected, revealing a lost era of prehistoric mastery.
In a groundbreaking archaeological study, researchers have digitally and physically reconstructed prehistoric fishing nets from Japan’s Jomon period, some of which are over 6,000 years old. This research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, is believed to be the first of its kind to reconstruct these nets in such detail, shedding light on ancient technology.
Using cutting-edge technology, a team from Kumamoto University analyzed impressions of nets preserved in pottery fragments from two different Japanese locations. They were able to restore the shape, thread twist, knot types, and mesh size of the nets that had decayed thousands of years ago.
This research not only reconstructs these lost craft techniques but also shows that nets were often repurposed for pottery making, which highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Jomon communities.
Regional differences in net-making
The team, led by Professor Emeritus Hiroki Obata, examined pottery fragments from two distinct regions: Hokkaido in the north and Kyushu in the south. Using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans and silicone cast replication, researchers were able to visualize the intricate net structures in exquisite detail.
Pottery from Hokkaido’s Early Jomon period, known as the Shizunai-Nakano style, contained large-mesh nets with tightly tied reef knots embedded in the clay coils. “Nets, not only utilized for ocean fishing, were also being reused as reinforcement when constructing pottery,” reports Archaeology Magazine.
However, the Final Jomon and early Yayoi period pottery from Kyushu preserved fine-mesh nets tied with simpler overhand knots or “knotted wrapping” techniques. According to the study, these smaller nets were likely used as bags, molds, or release agents during pottery production.
The research also revealed subtle regional differences in thread twist direction and knotting methods, reflecting cultural practices and practical considerations. The Hokkaido nets used an S2z twist, while the Kyushu nets displayed a Z2s twist, the study reports. Phys notes that “the small-mesh nets of less than 6.5 millimeters found in Kyushu pottery were probably not fishing nets at all but instead were used for other purposes, perhaps as containers.”
85 hours of work
Remarkably, the study estimated that crafting a single net could have taken more than 85 hours of labor. “This reuse of materials reflects an early form of sustainability, akin to today’s SDGs,” said Prof. Hiroki Obata of Kumamoto University, according to Phys. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that all fiber impressions on pottery were fishing gear, instead showing that nets were versatile tools with multiple uses in both daily life and craft production.
By combining CT scanning, silicone casting, and detailed 3D analysis, the study has resurrected the form and function of nets that have been lost for millennia. The researchers argue that understanding these net structures sheds light not only on fishing practices but also on pottery production, resource reuse, and cultural norms during the Jomon period. As Archaeology Magazine notes, this methodological breakthrough opens new doors for rediscovering vanished organic materials worldwide—from textiles to baskets—transforming how archaeologists can reconstruct prehistoric life.
The study has been published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.