Tile kin discovered at ancient temple grounds
A kiln used to bake roof tiles of Toshodaiji temple more than 1000 years ago was discovered at Toshodaiji temple complex, Nara prefecture, Japan.
Remains of 7th-century banquet hall unearthed
Excavations at the Asukadera Seiho site, the first Buddhist temple founded in Japan, located in Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan, revealed architectural remains of what is believed to be part of a banquet hall complex for the nobility, dating back to the 7th century AD.
Ancient armour found in tomb during roadworks
Construction workers paving a farm road in Shibushi, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, unearthed a 1500-year-old tomb containing a large stone coffin, human remains and impressive armour in remarkable condition.
Human face found painted on ancient stone
The oldest ancient painting of a human face on stone has been found in Kikonai, Hokkaido, Japan. The artefact dates back to the latter half of the mid-Jomon period, around 4300 years ago.
Probably oldest use of Kanji character found
Archaeologists discovered possibly the oldest use of a Kanji character on a pottery shard in Japan, dating back to the late Yayoi Pottery Culture period (300 BC-AD 300). The fragment was found at Karakami archaeological site in Iki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
Ancient Chinese mirror discovered in Japan
A bronze inscribed mirror with made during the Later Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) was discovered at the late Yayoi Pottery Culture period site (300 BC-300 AD) in Nakashima, Fukuoka, South-West Japan.
Mysterious clay jar found at lake’s bottom
An ancient jar, dated to between the Asuka Period (592-710 AD) and Nara Period (710-784 AD) has been found at significant depth at an underwater site at Lake Biwako, Japan’s biggest freshwater lake in Shiga Prefecture, Honsiu.
Ancient tool sheds light on Japan’s earliest writing
Researches discovered traces of ink on an ancient stone artefact that was found split in two, in 2003 in Yakushinoue ruins in Chikuzen, Fukuoka Prefecture, West Japan.
Evidence for ritual violence found in Peru’s highlands
Excavations of Pacopampa, an ancient ceremonial site in Peru’s northern highlands, led to the discovery of remains of 104 individuals, 7 of which bore significant physical injuries interpreted as ritual violence.
Millennium-old bowl with an inscribed poem discovered
A bowl engraved with a poem written entirely in hiragana more than 1000 years ago in the ruins of a residence that existed in the Heian Period (794-1185 AD) in the Kekachi archaeological site, at Koshu on Honsiu, Japan.
Structures pointing to a second capital in Osaka unearthed
Archaeologists unearthed structures dating back more than 1000 years at a site of Higashi-Yuge ruins in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. These remains offer a hint on the existence of a second capital in Osaka, Yuge-no-miya, that is known only through eighth-century chronicles.
Residence of a 9th-century nobleman uncovered in Kyoto
Archaeologists unearthed remains of a large ninth-century mansion likely belonging to a high-ranking nobleman within the site of Heiankyo (or Heian-kyō), the ancient capital founded in 794 AD in present-day Kyoto, Japan.
2300-years-old carpenter’s tool unearthed
Archaeologists discovered a well preserved ancient carpenter’s tool – an iron “yariganna” cutting chisel, at the Yokaichijikata ruins in Komatsu, Ishikawa province, Japan. The tool is believed to be 2300 years old.
Japanese woven basket from 2nd century AD solves speculations over mysterious artefact
Archaeologists discovered the first preserved finely woven basket complete with a square wooden footed stand at the Seta site, Kashihara, Nara prefecture of Japan, dating to the late Yayoi Pottery Culture period (300 BC – 300 AD).
10th century tree roots point to ancient display of power
Archaeologists unearthed eighteen roots of willow trees from the late 10th century in the Aoyayokogi ruins, Tottori, Japan. The alignment of the roots in intervals of 0.5 to 2 meters along a 60-meter stretch provides evidence to an existence of an ancient boulevard, purpously lined with trees.
Remains of a mystery structure near ancient temple
Archaeologists excavating a site in Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan, discovered pillar holes, indicating presence of a building. The structure was located in the area west of Asukadera temple, one of the oldest temples in Japan.
Possible resting place of Japanese emperor discovered
Japanese archaeologists believe to have found evidence of a burial mound in the Koyamada ruins, Nara province of Japan, dating from the mid-seventh century, that might be the final resting place of an emperor.
Possible base of 8th century pagoda found
Remains of a square foundation, found in Higashi-Yuge, Yao in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, are believed to be the remains of a temple built by a Buddhist temple in 8th century AD.
Japan’s 8th century capital’s street grid revealed
Researchers believe to have identified part of the street pattern of Kunikyo, the capital of Japan from 740 to 744 AD, while excavating the Okadakuni ruins in Kizugawa, Central Japan.
Rock art documentation in the shadow of Fukushima nuclear power plant
The interior of the 7th-century Kiyotosakuoketsu tomb, located 3 kilometres near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, East Japan, was documented and mapped in 3D. The tomb contains unique wall paintings dated to the Asuka period (538-710 AD).