Mixed
Mine d’argent d'Iwami Ginzan et son paysage culturel
Photo : Naokijp (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Located in the Shimane Prefecture of southwestern Japan, this site encompasses a historic silver mine and its surrounding cultural landscape. The mine operated from the 16th century through the 19th century, playing a significant role in Japan's economic development during the Edo and Meiji periods. The site preserves evidence of mining infrastructure, including mine shafts, processing facilities, and terraced agricultural lands that supported the mining community. The cultural landscape reflects the integration of mining activities with traditional settlement patterns, demonstrating the interaction between human activity and the natural environment over several centuries. The site is recognized for its exceptional testimony to the technological and social systems of silver mining, as well as for the well-preserved landscape that illustrates the historical settlement and land use patterns associated with large-scale precious metal extraction in East Asia.
