会誌『考古学研究』

CONTENTS

Vol.69　No.1（273）, June 2022

ARTICLES

• Production and chronology of ring-shaped stone bracelets (ishikushiro)
• NIMURA Shinji
  Abstract: In the Early Kofun period, various stone objects made of green tuff or jasper were produced in specific areas for use extensively in burial or ritual scenes. Among the wide variety of objects of this period, these stone artifacts are significant because evidence of all their stages, from production through distribution and usage, has been preserved in the archaeological record. In particular, ring-shaped stone bracelets (ishikushiro) have been found in the largest number, and therefore, may have mediated the various relationships within and between human groups. Although evidence of each stage of these stone bracelets has been preserved, it is still difficult to date them since a relative chronology has yet to be established.
  　In this paper, the author presents an analysis of not only finished ring-shaped stone bracelets excavated from tombs but also unfinished examples and waste material from production sites. As a result, finished stone bracelets can be divided into six stages based on an analysis of their combination in individual tombs. Furthermore, stone bracelets can be divided into three groups based on their production process, manufacturing technology, and stone materials. This study has for the first time systematically linked every stage of these stone bracelets. The author also demonstrates that each stone bracelet group was produced in different areas using different drilling techniques adapted to local stone materials. This provides a more specific explanation for the artifact groups compared with previous views based only on an analysis of objects excavated from tombs. The remarkable regional characteristics of stone-bracelet production are instructive when attempting to clarify the production system and social background of various artifacts of the Kofun period. The chronology presented by the author provides a common criterion to evaluate artifacts at the distribution and usage stages and makes it possible to investigate how social relations between/among individuals or groups mediated by the stone artifacts varied by region and over time.

  Keywords: ring-shaped stone bracelets (ishikushiro); chronology; manufacturing technology; production process; production sites
• Composition principles of the A-type and B-type chokkomon stone-carved designs as understood through the experience of carving
• NISHIHIRA Takashi
  Abstract: As surviving examples of chokkomon (intersecting straight and curved lines) stone carvings exquisitely expressed in bas-relief are few and there is a pressing danger of losing the information they hold forever, the author has felt the need to elucidate the principles of this symbolic design’s composition.
  　Concerning the methodology, of the ten examples of chokkomon carved in stone which the author has examined, analysis was conducted of the designs for each of three examples executed in relief. Based on reconstructions of the Senzoku and Sekijinsan chokkomon designs, and on the deconstructive analysis that emerged when producing their carved facsimiles, the design concepts were comparatively examined with the seven examples executed as linear engravings.
  　Consulting and augmenting existing research as necessary, the author presents new perspectives on this issue. Additionally, the author verified his analysis of the stone-carved chokkomon designs through a hands-on workshop.
  　As a result of these deconstructive examinations of the chokkomon stone-carved designs, detailed observations were made on the constant and variable aspects of the figure types and their mutual interrelations. These results are presented in a chart, “Summary table of the composition principles of A-type and B-type chokkomon”, bringing together the analysis of chokkomon stone-carved designs.

  Keywords: chokkomon stone carving; five-line bands; figure base/parts; deconstructive analysis; principles of composition

REPORTS, NEWS AND APPEALS

• Concerning the military invasion of Ukraine
• Standing Committee of the Society
• Modern society and archaeology (Part 1)
  

War and archaeology in the 21st century
MATSUGI Takehiko

• Cultivating new cultural property specialists: Digital technology and the excavation, conservation, and utilization of buried cultural property
• NOGUCHI Atsushi and UOZU Tomokatsu
• Observation of the Shiragayama mounded tomb (mausoleum of Emperor Seinei)
• ITŌ Masahiro

BOOK REVIEWS

• UGAKI Tadamasa. The Tatetsuki burial mound
• EGE Kazuhiro
• KISHIMOTO Masatoshi. The production and circulation of salt in ancient Japan
• OGASAWARA Yoshihiko
• KAWANO Kazutaka. The comparative archaeology of royal tombs and decorated tombs
• ARIMATSU Yui
• HŌJŌ Yoshitaka, KONASUKAWA Ayumu and ARIMATSU Yui (eds.). The comparative archaeology of social evolution: Cities, power, and states
• ISHIMURA Tomo

NEW BOOKS

• WAKAMATSU Ryōichi. Haniwa: Research and interpretation
• KIMURA Osamu

ARCHEO-FOCUS

• Excavation of the Nakatsuka shell midden in Kurashiki city, Okayama prefecture
• Kurashiki Center for Buried Cultural Properties
• Archaeological site of Ingatambo, Cajamarca, Peru
• YAMAMOTO Atsushi

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