Miyataki Site: A Multiperiod Archaeological Settlement in Japan
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.1
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Japan
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Iron Age, Classical, Medieval
- Civilizations
- Yamato, Yayoi
- Site type
- Domestic
- Remains
- Palace
On this page15 sections
History
Miyataki Site is a complex archaeological settlement in Yoshino, Japan, with principal phases from the late and final Jomon period, the early and middle Yayoi period, and the Asuka and early Nara periods. The Jomon period was Japan’s prehistoric hunter-gatherer era, while the Yayoi period brought expanded agriculture and more settled communities. The Asuka and Nara periods saw the formation and consolidation of Japan’s early imperial state.
Jomon settlement and Miyataki-style pottery
The Jomon remains belong to a major regional settlement of the later Jomon period. Miyataki Site became the principal distribution center for a pottery group now called Miyataki-style pottery, a designation proposed by archaeologist Masao Suenaga after prewar excavations. Its decoration used marine horn-snail shells, including impressions made by pressing the underside of a shell into wet clay and by pressing and slightly rotating the shell to form fan-shaped patterns. Shells were also used to create concave lines. The use of marine henatari shells points to connections between the mountainous interior and coastal areas.
Yayoi settlement and burials
The Yayoi settlement extended across much of the terrace and declined rapidly during the latter half of the middle Yayoi period. Its burials include the oldest known jar burials in the Kansai region. Excavated material includes a small quantity of early Yayoi pottery and a large quantity from the middle Yayoi period. Chipped-stone axes, tools that had been used since the Jomon period, continued in use into the middle Yayoi period.
Imperial-period occupation
The Asuka- and Nara-period remains are divided into three phases. Phase I is associated with the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jito. Phase II is dated to around the reign of Emperor Shomu, while Phase III has been linked to the imperial visit of the retired Emperor Uda in 898.
These remains are strongly considered to correspond to Yoshino Palace, also called Yoshino Detached Palace. An imperial detached palace was a residence used by the emperor or imperial household away from the main capital. Historical records mention visits to Yoshino by Emperor Ojin and Emperor Yuryaku, but construction of a palace there is securely recorded only from 656, during the reign of Empress Saimei.
After the death of Emperor Tenchi, his younger brother Prince Oma, later Emperor Tenmu, withdrew to Yoshino Palace with his wife Princess Uno and their son Prince Kusakabe. In 672, during the Jinshin War, a succession conflict between Prince Oma and supporters of Prince Otomo, he raised an army there. After Emperor Tenmu and Crown Prince Kusakabe died, Princess Uno became Empress Jito. She visited Yoshino Palace 31 times during her reign and returned once in 701, after her grandson Emperor Mommu had abdicated. Emperor Mommu, Empress Gensho, and Emperor Shomu also visited the palace.
Archaeological investigation and protection
Excavations began in 1930 and continued intermittently until 1939. Investigations resumed almost annually from 1975 to clarify the full extent of the settlement. The central area was designated a National Historic Site of Japan on July 1, 1957. These investigations have established a long sequence of occupation from the Jomon and Yayoi periods through the Asuka and Nara periods, together with post-hole buildings, a stone-foundation building, paved features, ditches, and large quantities of pottery.
Remains
Miyataki Site occupies a river terrace on the north bank of a meander of the Yoshino River, upstream of the Kino River. The terrace measures approximately 570 meters from east to west and 300 meters from north to south. Its physical remains include settlements, buildings, fences, paved areas, ditches, gardens, pits, burials, pottery, and roof tiles distributed across different parts of the terrace.
Jomon remains
Southwestern terrace
The Jomon remains lie on a southwestern part of the terrace near the Yoshino River, within an area of about 100 by 100 meters. Jomon pottery occurs approximately 50 to 90 centimeters below the present surface. Finds include pottery, stone axes, stone arrowheads, stone knives, and stone clubs. A small amount of early Jomon pottery was found alongside later material, including Miyataki-style pottery decorated with marine henatari shells. The shell impressions include both fan-shaped marks and concave lines made directly with shells.
Yayoi settlement and cemetery
Pit dwellings and post-hole building
The Yayoi remains spread across almost the entire terrace. At least ten pit dwellings occupy a slight rise near its center. A pit dwelling is a structure partly or wholly sunk into the ground. Seven of these dwellings are circular, measuring approximately 6 to 7 meters in diameter, while three are square and measure approximately 4 to 5 meters on each side. One rectangular post-hole building measures 2 by 3 bays. A post-hole building was supported by timber posts set into the soil, and a bay is the interval between structural posts.
Burials and pottery
Seven square moat graves, pit graves, and jar-coffin burials are distributed around the dwellings. A jar coffin used a large ceramic jar as the container for the deceased, while a square moat grave was enclosed by a square ditch. The pottery assemblage includes a small quantity of early Yayoi vessels and many middle Yayoi vessels. Chipped-stone axes continued in use, while no polished stone sickles used for harvesting rice have been found at the site.
Asuka- and Nara-period buildings
Phase I buildings
Phase I contains two east-west post-hole buildings. One measured at least 2 by 6 bays and had an eave along its north side. The second stood 60 meters to the southeast and measured 2 by 4 bays. Their arrangement forms part of the early imperial-period occupation associated with the first phase of the site.
Phase II complex
Phase II lies slightly west of Phase I. It includes three north-south post-hole buildings, another building aligned east-west, three rows of fences, a stone-lined ditch, and garden remains. A pit contained Sue ware and Haji ware bowls from the first half of the Nara period. Sue ware was a high-fired ceramic made with kiln technology, while Haji ware was a lower-fired earthenware used widely in ancient Japan. A Nara-period round roof tile came from the stone-lined ditch.
Phase III building
Phase III overlaps one of the Phase II buildings. Foundation stones survive for a large structure measuring 9 by 5 bays, which was surrounded by paving stones. Large quantities of roof tiles were found around the building, providing material evidence for its substantial construction and its place within the later phase of the imperial-period remains.
