Higashiwakabayashi Site
| Address | Wakabayashi-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu-shi |
|---|---|
| Time | Nara - Heian periods |
Overview
Although the area around the site is a plain land now, it used to be a bog field with a long sand mound. The site was located on the tallest part of the mound, on which the Tokaido railroad run today.
The excavations in 2005 revealed evidences of a settlement dated to the Nara to Heian periods such as remains of pit-houses with square surfaces (about 5m on a side) and post-supported structures supposed to be used as storages. Earthen crocks, steamer pots, and sue ware (gray stoneware) were found from around cooking stoves. The Japan oldest coin Wado Kaichin, which was used during 708 to 759, was yield from one of the pit houses. As the coins were rarely used out of the area around the capital at the time (today's Kyoto), it is considered that people in power were in this settlement. Other artifacts yielded include, ink stones, green-glazed ceramics (ryokuyu toki) from the Heian period, and clay horse figures used in rites.
Reference
Hamamatsu no Iseki 2(Archaeological Sites of Hamamatsu 2)