An environmental archaeological study on restoration of dietary habits in ancient times

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K00843
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
• Principal Investigator: Yamazaki Takeshi 独立行政法人国立文化財機構奈良文化財研究所, 埋蔵文化財センター, 室長 (50510814)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 古代 / 食 / 動物遺存体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I studied food remnants, such as animal remains excavated from the sites, to elucidate dietary practices in ancient times. Ancient people used to pay taxes in the form of shellfish. Therefore, records of shellfish transported to the ancient capital remain. However, there are almost no records of shellfish eaten by local people. I analyzed the remains of shellfish excavated from the ruins to study the use of shellfish in the ancient provinces of Kazusa and Shimousa. Coastal people generally collected and consumed shellfish living around the settlements. Shelled shellfish were also transported across countries and provinces.

Free Research Field

動物考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで奈良時代の食事は、貴族食と庶民食が分離し、都の豪華な貴族食に対して、地方の庶民食は粗末であったと対比的に説明されてきた。今回の成果として、史料自体がほとんど残っていない地方における食の研究が特筆される。多様な食の地域性や国・郡を越えた流通、地域における食の階層差など、単に「粗末」だけでは表現しきれない食の実態が明らかとなった。