This work is a cross-section of essays from both western and Japanese specialists on highly specialized topics of Japanese history c. 50,000BP to 700CE. It provides not only the foundation of new technical research (pollen analysis and growth-lines of Joumon molluscan shells, along with more the traditional pottery analysis and historical linguistics), but also allows the astute reader to see some of the biases that shape the work of researchers on either side of the Pacific.

The highly technical nature of much of the work means that parts of it will probably too dense for anyone outside of a narrow speciality. At the same time this, when combined with the excellent Japanese-English glossary of technical terms, make it vital reference work, especially for those who use Japanese language sources. This is must for anyone who seriously studies early East Asian history, and who is searching for broader patterns of meaning from scanty evidence. However, the lay person who is looking for a general overview of early Japanese history would be better served somewhere else.