Continental Connections: The biological connection between Korea and Japan during the late Yayoi and early Kofun periods

The connection between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago throughout the prehistoric period has been well documented. These include early trade interactions between the islands of Tsushima and Iki, acting as a mediary between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago. These interactions, particularly during the Yayoi and Kofun periods, are typically seen through the lens of the well-studied agriculture development on the archipelago and various trade goods, including bronze and ironware. One aspect that has been more recently developed is bioarchaeology, specifically strontium isotopic analysis. For my paper, I will analyze the development of Eastern Japanese late Yayoi and early Kofun culture, specifically the development of tomb structures and their relation to the external influences of the immigrants coming into the archipelago. While these impacts can be seen through trade goods, I will analyze the development of tomb structure and ceramic distribution in connection to biological tracers found within strontium isotopes found in individuals surrounding regions with various stages of tomb development.