会誌『考古学研究』

CONTENTS

Vol.67　No.3（267）, December 2020

ARTICLES

• Miniaturization of stone arrowheads at cave sites
• YAMADA Yūki
  Abstract: After considering the available data and appropriate methodologies for the study of Jōmon-period cave sites in mountainous areas, the author statistically compared the size of stone arrowheads from cave sites with those from contemporary open sites in the same regions. The results indicated that stone arrowheads from cave sites during the Early to Final Jōmon periods were significantly smaller than those of open sites. Although there are various factors that affect the size of stone arrowheads, one of the factors of this miniaturization in Western Japan, where there is a significant sample size, is thought to be the high frequency of maintenance due to the low supply of raw materials. Also, during the Late Jōmon period, the time when the number of cave sites per 1,000 years and the number of pit dwellings or open sites increase in Western Japan, the acceptability of stylistic changes to stone arrowheads can be added to the factor listed above. To explain this, the author considered the increase in the logistical cave-utilization pattern of using lowlands as a residential base as population grew in Western Japan, the dispersion of residential groups, and the development of the alluvial plains after the Late Jōmon period. From this analysis, the author proposed that there is room for reexamination of the existing model.

  Keywords: Jōmon period; cave; rockshelter; stone arrowheads
• Ironworking technology seen in Yayoi-period iron weapons uncovered from eastern Japan
• SUZUKI Takashi
  Abstract: In this paper, iron swords and arrowheads are analyzed based on first-hand observation in order to clarify the nature of Yayoi-period ironworking technology in eastern Japan, particularly in the Hokushin region, or the northern part of Nagano prefecture, and in the Kantō region. This area of research has not received sufficient attention. For swords, the author considered why a peculiar type of shoulder (the juncture between the blade and tang) existed in the swords of eastern Japan. For arrowheads, comparison is made with materials of western Japan in terms of thickness for chisel-cut examples. At the same time, the manufacturing techniques for iron arrowheads are classified and an examination is made of the arrowhead manufacturing technology of eastern Japan. The existence of technology capable of cutting up to 6 mm or of hammering iron under 3 mm in thickness can be surmised from the following: The reutilization of broken sword blades, blades secondarily fashioned to adapt them to a type of hilt unique to eastern Japan, iron arrowheads forged with rudimentary hammering technology, and thinly made iron arrowheads. Furthermore, from the existence of chisel-cut, thin iron arrowheads and the fact that fragments resulting from the reworking of iron objects are few in comparison with western Japan, it is suggested that in order to compensate for a scarcity of raw material, the ironworking of eastern Japan was characterized by a strong emphasis on economizing, wherein the byproducts of reworked iron objects were recycled to produce new objects. On the other hand, the author proposes the existence of a disparate circulation network enabling the acquisition of higher quality products, such as swords and coiled iron bracelets. Understanding this duality is vital for reconstructing the Yayoi society of eastern Japan.

  Keywords: Yayoi period; eastern Japan; ironworking technology; iron swords; iron arrowheads
• Changes in mortuary practices during the latter half of the Kofun period: A case study of the stone coffins of the Jōsō region
• ARAI Keita
  Abstract: The aim of this paper is to clarify changes in mortuary practices based on a case study of the stone coffins of the Jōsō region (present day Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures) during the latter half of the Kofun period (5th-7th century AD). Among the previous research on burial chambers of this period there are few studies from the perspective of how living people considered the deceased. Therefore, the author investigated the various aspects of the stone coffins, such as their size and the position of the bones, by focusing on the space required for the individuals who performed the burials. For example, the author determined whether it was possible to reach down into the coffin from the cover stone or to enter the coffin when burying the dead by looking at the height of the coffin. The positioning of the human bones was analyzed by considering whether or not the bones were articulated.
  　As a result, the author determined the following: (1) The bodies were aligned in the stone coffins with their heads at the eastern end, and the working space for the individuals performing the burials was at the western end. This indicates that there were social norms for the positional relationship between those interring the deceased and the interred during burial. (2) From the late 6th century, the number of deep stone coffins gradually increased as a result of an increasing need for working space. It was found that coffins large enough to enter increased in the 7th century. (3) This seems to be related to the act of the living person moving or rearranging the human bones.

  Keywords: Jōsō region; stone coffins; latter half of the Kofun Period; mortuary practice; social norms

REPORTS, NEWS AND APPEALS

• On the rejection of candidate nominations to the Science Council of Japan
• Standing Committee of the Society
• Forum celebrating the 90th anniversary of the discovery of the Yōkaichi-jikata site
  　Report of online attendance at “The significance of the Yōkaichi-jikata site:
  　A large-scale moated settlement”
• TANAKA Ken
• Mogi kofun: An experiment in site and artifact preservation and utilization, Part 3
  

Considering research on Mogi kofun
NOBUSATO Yoshiki and SAKAGUCHI Hideki

BOOK REVIEWS

• IKEYA Kazunobu (ed.). Following the history of Homo sapiens through beads: Understanding the emergence of beauty
• HŌJŌ Yoshitaka
• TANIZAWA Ari. The start of the Kofun period and social change as seen through beads
• KOTERA Chizuko
• KISHIMOTO Naofumi. Wa kingship and keyhole-shaped mounded tombs
• NIIRO Izumi

ARCHEO-FOCUS

• Excavation of the Kuwayama mounded tomb group in Tsuyama city, Okayama prefecture
• Okayama Prefectural Ancient Kibi Cultural Properties Center
• Excavation of the Kyōden site in Izumo city, Shimane prefecture
• HATANAKA Kōsuke

LETTER

• The “Suemura kiln group exhibition” will soon open at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum
• ŌNISHI Ryō and INOUE Hayata

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE