Okinawa: The Rise of an Island Kingdom: Archaeological and cultural perspectives. Proceedings of a Symposium, Kingdom of the Coral Seas, November 17, 2007, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Archaeological and Cultural Perspectives. Proceedings of a Symposium, Kingdom of the Coral Seas, November 17, 2007, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London The symposium and lectures brought Okinawan archaeology to a wide audience, including many students, professionals and those with an interest in this fascinating part of the Japanese archipelago from across Europe and elsewhere. The current volume represents a full record of the proceedings of the symposium, hopefully bringing the Ryukyus to an even broader readership. Contents: Preface (Richard Pearson); 1) Archaeology of the Ryukyu Islands: Major Themes (Shijun Asato); 2) Okinawa's Earliest Inhabitants and Life on the Coral Islands (Hiroto Takamiya); 3) Shell Exchange in the Ryukyu Islands and in East Asia (Naoko Kinoshita); 4) Kamuiyaki and Early Trade in the Ryukyu Islands (Akito Shinzato); 5) The Emergence of Ryukyu Royal Authority and Urasoe (Susumu Asato); 6) The Significance of Chinese Trade Ceramics from Ryukyu: Focusing on Yuan Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain (Meitoku Kamei); 7) The Architectural Landscape of the Kingdom of Ko Ryukyu (Takashi Uezato); 8) The Kingdom of Ryukyu: Culture, Politics, Mentality (Arne Rokkum); Appendix 1. Recent Discoveries on Kikai Island (Richard Pearson); Appendix 2. Archaeology of Sakishima (Richard Pearson); Appendix 3. Useful Reference Materials for Ryukyu Archaeology (Richard Pearson) Appendix 4. The Successive Rulers of Chuzan (Ryukyu) (Richard Pearson).