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Archaeology at Iwaki City: Shell Mounds and Tunnel Tombs

  • Image of "Harness Bell, Gilt bronze (detail), Excavated at Nakada Tunnel Tombs, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Kofun period, 6th–7th century (Iwaki City Board of Education)"

    Harness Bell, Gilt bronze (detail), Excavated at Nakada Tunnel Tombs, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Kofun period, 6th–7th century (Iwaki City Board of Education)

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
    September 26, 2017 (Tue) - December 25, 2017 (Mon)

    Facing the Pacific Ocean, Iwaki city in Fukushima prefecture is an area with a concentration of shell mounds that range from the early to the final Jomon period (ca. 11,000–5th century BC). These mounds suggest that fishing was the primary means of sustenance for the people living in this region, where fishing tools were developed to a surprising extent, while many stone figurines and tablets for use in rituals have also been excavated.

    In the Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century), this region saw the construction of numerous tunnel tombs in which gorgeous grave goods were buried. Particularly renowned examples of these are the Nakada tunnel tombs, which feature richly-colored mural paintings.

    This exhibition showcases objects borrowed through a reciprocal lending of archaeological objects for FY2017 between the Museum and the Iwaki City Archaeological Centre.

     

 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Deep Bowl, Excavated at Ohata Shell Mound, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Jomon period, 3,000–2,000 BC (Iwaki City Board of Education)
Toggling Harpoon HeadsIn shape of swallow tail; antler,  Excavated at Terawaki Shell Mound, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Jomon period, 1,000–400 BC (Iwaki City Board of Education)
Two-piece Fishhooks Terawaki-type, Excavated at Terawaki Shell Mound, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Jomon period, 1,000–400 BC (Iwaki City Board of Education)
Stone Object, With human face ornament, Excavated at Kaminemoto, Tono-machi, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Jomon period, 2,000–1,000 BC (Private collection)
Stone Tablet With human face ornament, Excavated at Usuiso Shell Mound, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Jomon period, 1,000–400 BC (Iwaki City Board of Education)
Harness Bell, Gilt bronze, Excavated at Nakada Tunnel Tombs, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Kofun period, 6th–7th century (Iwaki City Board of Education)
Buddhist Ornament Fittings, Excavated at Ya'ado No. 12 Tunnel Tomb, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, Kofun period, 7th century (Iwaki City Board of Education)

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