also: かいずか
shell mound; shell midden; kitchen midden
An archaeological site consisting of accumulated shells, bones, and other refuse from prehistoric settlements. The term is common in Japanese archaeology.
Many shell mounds from the Jomon period remain in this area.
Pottery and stone tools are also excavated from shell middens.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading かいづか is the most common.
Irregular kana reading; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 貝 (kai, 'shell') and 塚 (tsuka, 'mound'). The reading づか is a rendaku form of つか.