Collaborative Research
Study of the the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture
| Type of Research | 個別共同研究 |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Study of the the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture |
| Head of the Research Team | Harunari Hideji |
| Research Period | 2004–2006 |
| Research Team |
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| Purpose | The Kamikuroiwa Site, located in Kumakogen Village (former Mikawa–mura), Ehime Prefecture, is the renowned rock shelter of the early Jomon Period. NMJH owns 16 articles excavated from the Kamikuroiwa Site (3 incised stones, 11 stone tools, 2 pieces of earthenware) through a transfer from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The surveys at this site had been conducted 5 times up until the 1960s, and it is now designated as a national historic site. The excavated materials are the Venus of the early Jomon Period, Ryukisen–mon Pottery, pointed–headed wares, bone tools, human bones and animal bones, all of them are first–rate materials, and in the academic world, publishing of the formal report has been long expected. But most of the people involved in the excavations have already passed away or retired, and there is no possibility of a report to be published by the surveyors. Therefore, as the institute owning a part of materials which are not open to public, NMJH will take the lead and make a comprehensive academic report including the materials owned by the local museums and Keio University. The purpose of this research is to survey and research, and publish a report on the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture, the site is essential in researching the origins of Jomon culture. In order to research cultures of the Early Jomon Period, this site contains stone idols (incised stones) and ornaments which are related to spiritual culture, also, various clay pottery, stone wares and natural remains, all of which are first–rate materials, but the whole picture is not clear yet. We will catalog the excavated materials of the past, and present the research results as a comprehensive academic research report. We will also aim to understand the origins of Jomon culture, which has formed the basis of Japanese culture. |
2006
Progress
In this year, we catalogued clay pottery, stone wares, animal bones, and survey maps separately, and worked on them in laboratories, making their diagrams etc. For stone wares, using outer diagrams and photographs to observe the exfoliated states, the researchers in charge made illustrations and made tracings of 200 items. For clay pottery, we traced the rubbing and cross–section diagrams we made up until the previous year, and made illustrations. For animal bones, we organized basic data by doing classification counts, etc. For survey maps of the site, we organized the survey maps we made last year, with the sectional maps and 2D plans owned by Keio University, made stratigraphic diagrams of the site area, and traced them. We also finished photographing the main materials.
In November, at the local site of Kamikuroiwa, we conducted an auxiliary study of the previous year's environmental survey (accumulation and rock quality of the ground). In December, we conducted an auxiliary study on the human bones owned by Niigata University. In summing up the research results, we published the magazine "Rekihaku" No. 139, made it a special edition entitled "Dokino hajimaru koro" (Early Jomon Earthenware), and summarized the results of the cataloging of the Kamikuroiwa Site for the public.
We reported the results on January 20 at the 58th NMJH Forum "The Beginnings of the Jomon Period –– Study of the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture", and during January 17～February 25, in History Promenade display"The Beginnings of the Jomon Period –– Study of the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture", and had good success.
Result
| Lecture: January 20, 2007 |
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58th Rekihaku Forum "The Beginnings of the Jomon Period –– Study of the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture" |
| Display: January 17～February 25, 2007 |
Historical Promenade Display "The Beginnings of the Jomon Period –– Study of the Kamikuroiwa Site in Ehime Prefecture" |
| 5. Reports by mass media |
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2005
Progress
| (1) Field Survey |
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During October 19 to 21, 2005, Kenichi Kobayashi, Kaoru Hyodo, Shin Onbe, Makio Hashimoto, Kenji Yahagi has surveyed the present state of the Kamikuroiwa Site's second rock shelter, and on the nature environment of the surrounding areas, such as landscape, geology and lithic aspects. |
(2) Survey of stone wares |
This is the second year of cataloging the stone wares, and we have finished nearly 200 articles. But we still have 200 more which need measurements, and we have not fully grasped the data according to type nor have we analyzed the techniques and shapes. |
(3) Survey of bones |
| On June 13, 2005, we made measurements of human bones excavated from the Kamikuroiwa Site, owned by Niigata University Faculty of Medicine, and finished most of the work. We managed to study bones which are related to each other, and gained valuable data. |
| (4) Assembling the survey records |
On August 7, 2005, we recorded a lecture by Kenji Okamoto, who took part in a past study September 4, 2005, the display at NMJH was mainly organized by Isao Hyodo, the cooperative researcher, "The Kamikuroiwa Site and its era", and it was visited by the members of the cooperative research team, and they held discussions about exhibit. The materials owned by the National Museum of Japanese History were also exhibited, and some previously unknown materials of the Kamikuroiwa Site were made known. We learned that the site's materials were separately preserved in many locations. As the materials were outstanding in quality and in quantity for cave relics, we realized the importance of this research. |
(5)Others |
| When we conducted a measurement survey at the local site, reporters from the Ehime Newspaper interviewed us, and there were two news reports related to absolute dating. |
Result
The following are the results of this year.
In the measurement study the local site, we found out the exact location of the trench when it was surveyed in the past, and made diagrams of the cross section (north side of the trench), we could determine the exact location on section maps. Next year, we will apply the section maps owned by Keio University and make accurate maps.
In the measurement survey of the second rock shelter, we made schematic diagrams of the front terrace and rock shelter. Through this, we could gain a clear understanding of the living space, enabling a comparison with the Kamikuroiwa Site.
In the environmental survey of the regions around the local site, we managed to obtain basic data enabling us to reconstruct its original form, and clarify the landscape characteristics of the rock shelter. We also conducted a lithic study on the stones in the riverside to make comparison with stone wares. This study was only done in the region around the site, but it is expected that if we can investigate the midstream of Kuma River flowing in Kumakogen Village, its landscape and lithic characteristics, and the notie of the rock shelters with possibility of monuments, we will be able to clarify the characteristics of the Kamikuroiwa Site much more.
In surveying the materials, we organized a survey of stone wares which had been previously delayed. At the present, the stone wares of the 9th layer were mostly illustrated, and the stone wares of the 7th layer come next. The 7th and 9th layers were formed in the Early Jomon Period, and many tanged points specific to this period have been excavated. Most of the tanged points are Yanagimata points, and a small portion of large–sized tanged points are included. Yanagimata points from Kamikuroiwa, according to the research are no longer than 5 cm. The unfinished points have almost the same length (6cm～4cm) and width, its point being avulsed by pressures and turned into head part, while the bottom part is kept semi–circular, its total shape becoming a characteristic water–drop shape. Compared with tanged points, flat surfaces and cross sections have morphological changes, and the fabrication is rough and with a low degree of perfection, thus we consider them to be unfinished wares. As there are both cases with and without added inclining avulsions for adjustments, it is like that they are unfinished wares which had been intended to be made into tanged points.
Water–drop–shaped unfinished projectile points seem to be those which have been considered to be almond shaped points and leaf–shaped points. If we consider them to be unfinished, we can deduce the actual manufacturing process of tanged points which had not been made clear until now.
There is another group of almond shaped points and leaf–shaped points. These projectile points have sizes of about 10cm long, about 5cm wide and 0.5～2cm thick, their head parts are thin and base parts are wide and mostly processed on both sides. Most of these cases, rather than making the head part (point) sharp and roughly manufactured, have the middle to the base part being finely crafted. The detailed crafts were not processed all the way to the center, but starting from the rim towards the center with a width of 0.5cm～1cm. These pieces apparently use different manufacturing techniques than tanged points or projectile points of which both sides are processed. Also, as there are many cases with the base parts forming half circles, it is plausible that the base parts are edges. Among the cases which Teruya Esaka has considered as almond shaped points, some of them should be regarded as double–edged small stone axes which have had the bases grinded. Therefore, rather than considering these as almond shaped points or leaf–shaped points, we should categorize them as small stone axes or as spatular stone ware.
Through this cataloging process, we found out that there were about 20 small stone axes or spatula stonewares. They are regarded as regular–shaped stable forms which succeeded the tanged points. This type was noticed not only in Kamikuroiwa, but also in other Early Jomon Period ruins. This is an important factor in understanding the composition of the stone wares of this period. As a result, we realized there were flaws in Suzuki's theory that stone wares changed from lance to dart and to bow and arrows based on our observations of the Kamikuroiwa information
In Kamikuroiwa, stone arrowheads were considered to start to appear from the 7th layer, a fact which is closely related to Suzuki's opinion. In this case, it is important to consider how the grinding tools for arrowheads appeared from the even lower 9th layer, but this was left unquestioned. There are at least three grinding tools for arrowheads, and the issue is unavoidable when considering the composition of the stone wares in Kamikuroiwa, and the tool use in the early Jomon Period. If we look nationwide, in the period paralleling the 9th layer of Kamikuroiwa, stone arrowheads had already appeared. Bearing this in mind, as we rechecked the natural remains, we discovered two stone arrowheads. Through this, it is reasonable to think that the grinding tools of arrowheads, and Suzuki's opinion had contradicted each other from looking at the stone arrowheads as well. We need a new hypothesis for the stone arrowheads, or rather for bows and arrows.
The following are questions to be answered next year. For stone wares, we must continue with measurement diagrams as much as possible and confirm their composition quantitatively. The production area of stone materials must be identified. A scientific basis must be given for cases which are supposed to be sanukite from Kanayama, Kagawa Prefecture, and obsidian from Himeshima, and we must analyze the white particles on the grinding tools for arrowheads.
We found many photos showing human bones which were excavated by Niigata University, but as we will need to borrow them, and thus must consider this in the following years.
As for the age determination of the site, it has been discussed several times in past research, but materials related to this site have not been measured sufficiently. As there are many measurement materials, if we could clarify the ages of each occupation layer, we would be able to make a much more detailed study of this site.
When preparing for the display "The Kamikuroiwa Site and its era", we recently discovered projectile points held by Keio University, and we checked and recorded them. But as the amount of measurements and photographing to be done is enormous, and it is necessary to proceed swiftly, we must make photographs which can be used for photographic measurements and research reports.
In 2006, through a field survey, we will finally gather the information on site, and catalog the survey records owned by Keio University. As for materials, we will finish cataloging the stone wares and natural remains, and by cataloging the materials comprehensively as we had with the clay pottery we have worked on, we will make a final research report.
2004
Progress
In 2004, we focused on reorganizing the materials, and performed the following activities:
On July 16 and 17, we surveyed the present state of the Kamikuroiwa Site, and also surveyed the locations of materials at Kamikuroiwa Site Tenjikan and Museum of Ehime History and Culture, and borrowed materials which were not on display. On January 10, as Kamikuroiwa Tenjikan was closed during winter, on January 10, we borrowed the displayed materials until March 10. At the National Museum of Japanese History, we cataloged these materials, and of Kumakogen village, Ehime Prefecture's materials, we finished measurements of about 50% of the clay pottery, and about 70% of the stone wares.
As for materials owned by the Keio University, we made cataloging surveys such as measurements on the clay pottery, stone wares, bone tools, animal bones, for about 10 days in total. As the result, we finished about 70% of the clay pottery, about 30% of the stone wares, and about 50% of the bone tools and animal bones.
As for human bones, at the Kamikuroiwa Site Tenjikan, we finished the measurement of a whole skeleton of a grown man. The research on human bones owned by the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine will be performed in the following year, due to the requirements of the university.
On July 16 and 17, a workshop at the local site was organized, surveying the local site and cataloging the materials. We made a presentation the research results of stone wares, clay pottery, and incised stones at NMJH on February 25.
Most of the members of the research institute had other occupations, and although it was not easy, they visited Ehime Prefecture, Tokyo and Sakura, which are far apart, and it is commendable that they strove hard to make the research reports.
Result
In the survey of Ryukisen–mon Pottery from the Early Jomon Period, we managed to extract particles which belonged to the same object, and made plans for the restoration of its total patterns. By this, we can show the standards for the Early Jomon Period in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. Also, it became clear that early Oshigata–mon Pottery and Jokonmon Pottery are materials which can present many examples of clay pottery in Shikoku region. Together with stratigraphic observations, they will become the sequential standards. Also, clay pottery from the Early to Middle Jomon Periods was found, although there are only a few of them. We have shed light on the usage of Kamikuroiwa rock shelter.
In the past research on Kamikuroiwa, the research by Michinosuke Suzuki is outstanding. He considered leaf points as lances, tanged points as darts, stone arrowheads as arrowheads, imagined the changes from lance to darts and to bow and arrows, and considered the changes in form of the hunting style, according to the evolution of animals from Pleistocene to Holocene. Through our measurement survey of these projectile points, it is plausible that some of the leaf points are scrapers, and some are unfinished (failed) tanged points. Among the stone wares, many of them were abandoned during creation when it was clear that they were failures, so Suzuki's opinion must be reconsidered. This point shall be considered by a study of animal bones which was organized at the same time.
On the survey of incised stones (Venus), we surveyed almost all of them. As for Kamikuroiwa's incised stones, some have incisions expressing breasts, and others do not. There is an opinion, that the former are women and the latter are men. The year determination of the incised stones of the Early Jomon Period, parallel to the middle of Magdalenian, the late Upper Paleolithic. Regarding ivory statues and incised tablets of Gönnersdorf, the representative monument of this era, it has figures both with and without breasts. But in this case, it is characteristic to show a protruding lower body, largely in dogleg shape, apparently expressing women. Therefore, in the European Paleolithic, expressing the breasts does not necessarilty relate to gender differences. Also, in the case of the clay idols from Kanto region in the Early Jomon Period, there are also cases expressing both with and without breasts. Therefore, we may consider that all the incised stones of Kamikuroiwa are expressing women, and the reason for the expression of breasts or lack thereof must lie elsewhere.
This is part of the research results of this year.
