87 Uncovering the World's Oldest Shark Attack: A Chat w. J. Alyssa White

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about archaeology in Japan and the case of Tsukumo No. 24, the world's oldest known shark attack. Our guest for this episode is J. Alyssa White from the University of Oxford.

About J. Alyssa White

J. Alyssa White is a PhD candidate in Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on. Her research focuses on the trauma found in skeletal remains from the southwestern Japanese archipelago during the end of the Jōmon hunter-gatherer period through the early Yayoi agricultural period (ca. 2500 BC – 250 AD). She is also one of the researchers who worked ont he fascinatingly unique case of Tsukumo No. 24 (the world's oldest known shark attack).

Topics Discussed

• How J. Alyssa White became interested in archaeology, Japan and the Japanese language
• Kyoto University's collection Jōmon era remains
• How J. Alyssa White got started in the fields of Japanese archaeology and biological anthropology
• About Japanese archaeological site reports
• Discovering the remains of Tsukumo No. 24
• Archaeological sties in Japan
• Characteristics of archaeological sites in Kyushu
• Burial practices (pit burials, shell mounds) in prehistoric Japan
• Archaeology in Japan
• What we can learn from skeletal remains
• About the case of Tsukumo No. 24
• How it was determined that Tsukumo No. 24 was likely killed by a shark attack
• What injuries the remains of Tsukumo No. 24 exhibits
• Jōmon era ritual tooth extraction
• J. Alyssa White's research on the changes and violent conflict seen during the transition from the Jōmon to the Yayoi periods
• And much more!

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Links, Videos, Etc.

The original article about Tsukumo No. 24 can be found via the link below. Unfortunately, it is behind a pay wall.

• 3000-year-old shark attack victim from Tsukumo shell-mound, Okayama, Japan

Here's a free article about Tsukumo No. 24 in case you would like to read more.

• Reconstruction of the oldest shark attack on a human, from Tsukumo shell-mound, Japan Reconstruction of the oldest shark attack on a human, from Tsukumo shell-mound, Japan Reconstruction of the oldest shark attack on a human, from Tsukumo shell-mound, Japan

Use the link below to view the 3D model of Tsukumo No. 24.

• 3D Model of Tsukumo No. 24

Here is the episode of the Beyond Japan podcast in which J. Alyssa White is interviewed.

• Beyond Japan Ep. #44: Prehistoric Tragedy: The Oldest Shark Attack Victim with J. Alyssa White

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast.

• Should you watch "In This Corner of the World?" (About Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni) | Ichimon Japan 58

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Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of J. Alyssa White

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Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/