Upper Paleolithic in Japan

The Japanese archipelago has been colonized by humans in different ways and at different times: it has therefore undergone a succession of varied continental influences. However, the origin of these populations would be mainly northern and located at the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic, in the European conception. Subsequently, at least two other continental migratory waves were observed, through the center and then through the south of the archipelago. This latter influence brought the "Mesolithic'' population still active today in the northern islands of Hokkaido. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.