A major contribution to the field of island archaeology by a major figure in the field who has spent half a century studying the subject, this study covers the entire length of human settlement on Ryukyu. A short introduction to the field opens the book, followed by a description of the island environment and of the earliest human settlements in Pleistocene. Growth of human population and a period of hunter-gatherer arrival and colonization followed, and subsistence cultures of the time are described, based on extensive archaeological evidence. Later chapters follow the rise of Ryukyuan kingdom and its links to the neighboring states of China, Korea and Japan. Its rather long survival while minimally defended and surrounded by aggressive neighbors is given some attention. Throughout, illustrations of archaeological finds are used rather sparingly, but much data and analytical results are presented along with maps of important sites. Appendices provide chronologies of trade ceramics and Chizan/Ryukyu rulers. Annotation ©2014 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)