The Jomon period is a prehistoric era in Japan that lasted from around 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE. It is characterized by its unique pottery, which features cord-marked designs. The people of this period were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on fishing, foraging, and hunting for their sustenance. During the Jomon period, communities began to settle in specific areas, leading to the development of early forms of social organization. The period is also noted for its use of natural resources, including the creation of tools from stone and wood. This era laid the foundation for later Japanese culture and society.