A UNESCO advisory panel on Wednesday recommended that the Jomon Period (10,000-200 B.C.) archeological sites in northern Japan be added to the World Cultural Heritage list.

The group is comprised of 17 ancient sites across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Akita prefectures that are reflective of a hunter-gatherer society that prevailed in Japan for more than 10,000 years.

If registered during an online World Heritage Committee session between July 16 and 31, the locations will be Japan's 20th World Cultural Heritage listing.