本文首先將琉球列島的先史文化區分為北琉球(奄美、沖繩諸島)和南琉球(宮古、八重山諸島)地區,除了說明各個時期劃分下的研究狀況之外,並藉此整理介紹沖繩考古學近年來的研究成果。 本文的討論重點主要以琉球列島和台灣考古學之間的共通性為主題,提出近距離區域間交流關係多重性的觀察,並將此交流的多重性視為形成此一時期特徵的主要因素,文中舉出紀元前2000~1000前的事例加以探討,並藉此進一步觀察整個東亞世界當時的動向。另一方面,在島嶼區域間的研究課題上,嘗試探討貝類等海洋資源的利用以及漁撈具的形態,並透過對這些資料的觀察來討論琉球列島和台灣的共同點與交流關係,文中也歸納了琉球列島和台灣考古學之間得以連接的幾個相關課題。
This paper begins with a review of recent studies in the archeology of the Ryukyu Islands. For this purpose, we identify two prehistoric cultures: the northern Ryukyu Islands (Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands) and the southern Ryukyu Islands (Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands). Next, based on archeological commonalities between the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan, I will focus on multitude of regional interactions between the areas, including the short-range relations, that are in fact a characteristic feature of this region of East Asia in the period between 2000-1000 BCE. The use of the marine resources such as shells and fishing tools are also treated in a discussion of the similarities and connections between Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. These common issues are used to discuss exchange relations between Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands and to understand the points of contact between the archeology of the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan.