会誌『考古学研究』

CONTENTS

Vol.64　No.1（253）, June 2017

ARTICLES

• Revival of Mounded tombs with four extended corners
• IWAMOTO Takashi
  Abstract: In this article, I discuss the possibility that large rectangular tombs that characterize the Early Kofun period burial practice in Izumo emerged as a result of a revival of the so-called “mounded tombs with four extended corners” that existed during the Yayoi period. There are two grounds for this assertion: firstly, the specific form of the large-scale rectangular tumuli of the Early Kofun period at Arashima are similar to mounded tombs with four extended corners, but it is difficult to argue that they share a background of construction techniques. Secondly, there is no evidence of a continuity of construction between the Early Kofun period rectangular tumuli and mounded tombs with four extended corners of the Yayoi period. I propose that the revival of the earlier style of tomb was an attempt to legitimize the status of the tomb building group through the construction of an authentic style of tomb. It may also reflect the social significance of the construction of large-scale tumuli, as well as the extent of regional choices in terms of the construction of tumuli and their background in the Early Kofun period.

  Keywords: Yayoi period; Kofun period; mounded tomb with four extended corners; rectangular tumulus; Izumo; revival.
• Basic research on iron socketed spearheads recovered from the Kinki region: Centering on the Middle Kofun period
• TOMIYAMA Naoto
  Abstract: This contribution delineates the progression of thickening in the transformation of iron socketed spearheads, and clarifies the change therein of socketed spears to specialized weapons for “thrusting and stabbing,” as their function of “cutting and ripping” declined. 　This change accords temporally with the points of transformation of weapons such as iron arrowheads, and it is thus considered that socketed spears were included in this unified change in which the military function of weapons became prominent. 　Socketed spears themselves have conventionally been assessed in terms of periods and a process of transformation defined on the basis of changes in kofun. In this contribution, a number of elements for categorization are determined, and a typological process of transition is clarified. It is shown that transformation of the original diamond shape of the shoulder on the blade, the cross-sectional shape of the socket, the emergence of the concave-based socket shape and its subsequent variation, and so forth, are significant for this classification. Based on these results, from a comparison with examples from the southern portion of the Korean peninsula, changes in socketed spearheads are regarded as intimately related to the Korean materials, and it is highly likely that socketed spearheads recovered in Japan, along with their regions of production, were derived from the peninsula. 　The thickening trend of socketed spearheads progressed together with the rapid diffusion of equestrian gear on the Korean peninsula, but in Japan, even while a similar change progressed, a certain amount of thinner items remained. This is thought to match the lag in the diffusion of equestrian gear in Japan. However, along with the advance of the trend in thickening, a change appeared as well in the conditions of recovery, as these items became differentiated from tanged spears which are similarly long-handled weapons, and they also came to be placed within the coffin. 　This is thought to be indication of a change in the cognizance of socketed spears from their traditional function to one of “thrusting and stabbing,” a perception considered to be a main factor in their survival as a form, in contrast to tanged spears.

  Keywords: Kofun period; concave-based socket; diamond-shaped shoulder; socket cross section; spearhead thickening.
• A Study on the Gusuku period earthenware vessels from the Ryukyu archipelago
• SHINZATO Akito
  Abstract: Earthenware vessels at the Gusuku period in the Ryukyu archipelago were comprised of pots and jars for boiling, jars for food stocking, and bowls for food servings, etc. Their shapes were thought to be originated from the stone vessels in Kyusyu and the ceramics product from China. By investigating assemblies of the artifacts in each islands, I established the chronology on these items. Though during 1250 to 1350 AD that the bowls of the Chinese ceramics were stably consumed in all Ryukyu Islands, the local production of the same kind of bowls increase in amount especially in the Okinawan Islands. I consider that the bowls made in the Okinawa Island was the symbolic vessels which indicate that the Okinawan society was more complex situation than the other Islands in the archipelago.

  Keywords: Ryukyu archipelago; Gusuku period; earthenware; stone cauldron; Chinese ceramics.

RESEARCH NOTES

• Reconsideration of the ‘Northwestern Kyushu type flat adze’
• MIZUNOE Kazutomo
  Abstract: Elaborately ground standardized flat adzes （Henpei-kataba-sekifu） were widely used all around northwestern Kyushu during Early Jomon period （ca. 6000 14C BP）. These adzes are divided into three types: middle-sized, small-sized, and chisel-shaped. The author’s past study clarified the techno-typological characteristics of these standardized adzes and defined them as ‘Northwestern Kyushu type flat adzes （Seihoku kyushu gata kataba sekifu）’. This paper provided the results of further investigation on them: the manufacturing technology and hafting method, and the distribution route of these ‘Northwestern Kyushu type flat adzes’.

  Keywords: Early Jomon period; ‘Northwestern Kyushu type flat adze’; serpentinite; Noguchi site.
• A consideration of burnt human and animal bones found together
• ABE Yuji
  Abstract: Burnt human and animal bone is a feature of sites in the district ranging from Tohoku to Chubu, dating to between the Middle Jomon and the first half of the Yayoi periods. Human bones are sometimes found together with burnt animal bones, and reconstruction of this process suggests that the animal bones were interred along with the human remains at the end of the burial process, or during reburial. We propose that in such cases, these individuals, whose remains were being treated the same as the animal, had a symbolic relationship to animals Additionally, the destruction of the bones during cremation may be related to a notion of rebirth or reincarnation.

  Keywords: burnt bones of humans and animals; cremation; symbolic relation; reincarnation; rebirth.

REPORTS, NEWS AND APPEALS

• Report of attendance at the observation of Tannowa-Nisanzai tumulus (Udo-no-haka)
• KAWACHI Kazuhiro
• Observation of the Andon’yama tumulus
• SAWADA Hidemi
• Report of attendance at the 49th meeting of “Regional Gathering to Reconsider and Protest against Japanese ‘Foundation Day’”
• FURUICHI Hideharu and MURATA Shuseki
• Remains of modern warfare 3: War remains in and around the Hiyoshi Campus, Keio University
• ANDŌ Hiromichi

BOOKS REVIEW

• SUZUKI Tsutomu. Triangular-rimmed divine beasts mirrors: Beyond the Dohankyo theory and typological analysis
• MURASE Riku

NEW BOOKS

• Saga City Board of Education (ed.). Jomon Miracles! Higashimyo Site: Time Capsule with New Discoveries
• KAWAI Noriyuki
• SUZUKI Mitsuo. Chestnut Trees and the Jomon People
• MURAKAMI Yumiko
• IMAO Fumiaki and TAKAGI Hiroshi (eds.). World Heritage and Japanese Imperial Burial Mounds in Question
• SAKAGUCHI Hideki

ARCHEO-FOCUS

• The Monuments of Aksum, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Dil Singh Basanti（translated by UEDA Naoya）
• Katakai Ienoshita site, Odate city, Akita prefecture
• MURAKAMI Yoshinao

REPORT OF THE 63rd BUSINESS AND ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY

REPORTS

• Report of the Okayama regional meetings of the society held in March 2017

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE