Archaeology and Technology: the IRIAE Expedition in Japan with the Support of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK

The summer of 2025 saw a team of archaeologists from IRIAE, the International Research Institute for Archaeology and Ethnology, embark on a fascinating mission to Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. In July, the researchers explored the Onigasaki promontory in search of traces left by Japanese Neolithic communities that lived more than ten thousand years ago.

This ambitious international project was designed to investigate how these ancient populations adapted to a constantly changing environment, shaped by the gradual rise in sea levels and exposure to extreme weather events such as typhoons. Excavations uncovered obsidian tools imported from neighbouring islands, local quartz artefacts and large stone weights used for fishing. These finds reveal both a deep knowledge of the marine ecosystem and the sophisticated survival strategies of communities able to make the most of natural resources.

To carry out research in such a challenging setting, with sudden downpours, strong winds, sand and barely any Internet connection, the archaeologists relied on the technological support of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK. IRIAE deployed two rugged devices designed specifically for fieldwork: the G2 tablet and the semi-rugged 55 notebook.

These tools proved indispensable in ensuring the continuity of research under difficult conditions. The G2, waterproof and dust-resistant, accompanied the team with up to 15 hours of battery life, allowing them to work even in areas with no access to electricity. The Toughbook 55, on the other hand, offered modular flexibility and extended battery life of up to 20 hours, adapting smoothly to the expedition’s varied logistical needs. Both devices, built to strict military standards, feature sunlight-readable displays, 4G and 5G connectivity, resistance to shocks and vibrations, and even the capability to connect to satellite systems.

The collaboration between Panasonic and IRIAE played a pivotal role in the mission’s success.

"The features of our devices proved essential to the success of the explorations and the archaeologists’ work in the field. We are proud to support projects that help study and preserve past cultures, in the name of history."

Echoing this view, Daniele Petrella, President of IRIAE, emphasised:

"Thanks to the collaboration with Japanese institutions and Panasonic’s technological support, the mission was able to face a demanding environment while ensuring the collection and preservation of data in a site that is crucial to understanding the origins of maritime societies in the Far East."

This expedition was not only an archaeological adventure, but also clear evidence of how scientific research and technology can complement and strengthen one another. On one side stood the patience and expertise of the archaeologists; on the other, the reliability of tools capable of operating where traditional devices would struggle to cope.

The result marks an important step forward in our understanding of Japan’s earliest maritime communities and a tangible example of how innovation can make a real difference in uncovering and safeguarding humanity’s historical memory.

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Archaeology and Technology: the IRIAE Expedition in Japan with the Support of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK

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