Jizōden Site
地蔵田遺跡 | |
Location | Akita, Japan |
---|---|
Region | Tōhoku region |
Coordinates | 39°39′28″N 140°09′26″E / 39.65778°N 140.15722°E |
Type | settlement |
History | |
Periods | Yayoi period |
Site notes | |
Discovered | 1981 |
Excavation dates | 1985 to 1986 |
Public access | Yes (archaeological park) |
The Jizōden ruins (地蔵田遺跡, Jizōden iseki) is an
Overview
The Goshonō Plateau is a large plateau located in the southeastern part of Akita City at the confluence of the Omono River and its tributary the Iwami River. Since the 1970s, a
This Yayoi period settlement is unique in eastern Japan in that the entire residential area was surrounded by a double wooden palisade, making it a fortified settlement. The palisade is made with logs having a diameter of 20-30 cm, closely arranged. The inner palisade is oval with a major axis of 61 meters and a minor axis of 47 meters and the outer has a major axis of 64 meters and minor axis of 50 meters. The main entrance appears to have been to the northwest, although the fence is broken to the west, south, east and southeast, indicating the possibility of other entrances. The southeast gap leads to the cemetery area. Outside the settlement area to the east were six large pillars, whose purpose is unknown.
The foundations of three circular
Outside the palisade was a midden and a cemetery site containing 25 graves in five types of earthenware tombs and 51 earthen burials. No human remains were recovered.
A large quantity of artifacts was discovered in the settlement area, including cylindrical and round beads made of
Japanese Paleolithic
Paleolithic artifacts have been found to the east of the Yayoi period settlement. These artifacts have attracted attention among researchers as representative examples of the late Paleolithic stone groups in the Tōhoku region. The total number of Paleolithic artifacts found came to 4,447 items, which included four polished stone axes, five stone knives, 22 smaller stone knives, 39 trapezoidal stone tools, eight side scrapers, four end scrapers, seven saw-tooth tools, 71 stone cores and many flakes from stone processing. About 99% of these stone tools are made from siliceous shale, shedding light on the details of the flake production technology. Based on these materials of the Jizōden site is considered to have been inhabited from first half of the Late Paleolithic period, or 33,000 to 35,000 years ago.
See also
References
- ^ "地蔵田遺跡" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
External links
- Official home page
- Akita city official site (in Japanese)