A study of the emergence and characteristics of the Mikoshiba Complex

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K03216
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Archaeology
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: Tsutsumi Takashi 明治大学, 研究・知財戦略機構(駿河台), 研究推進員 (70593953)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 神子柴系石器群 / 旧石器－縄文移行期 / 神子柴論争 / 生成と起源 / 石器群の性格 / 神子柴型石斧 / 神子柴型尖頭器

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study implies that the Mikoshiba Complex characterized by the set of large edge-ground axes and bifacial points was emerged in the Japanese Archipelago at the end of Last Glacial, in particular in the region of Central Highland of Honshu, because sites attributable to the Mikoshiba Complex were mostly distributed in the Japanese Archipelago and dense in the Central Highland.
The study also elucidates that the Mikoshiba complex not only consists of simple and practical stone tools, but also delivers symbolic and ritual expression. Moreover, stone tool components and patterns of their supplying and logistics were changed from the cultural period prior to the emergence of the Mikoshiba Complex. These implications make us comprehend the dramatic change of social exchange system at the transition from the Paleolithic to Jomon.

Free Research Field

考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

移行期にある神子柴系石器群の成立を論じることで、旧石器時代から縄文時代への歴史や文化の変革が、大陸からの外来インパクトの是非を含め、どのような様態であったかを考古学的に明らかにすることができた。
また、そのような時代の変革期の石器群についての講演やシンポジウム、展示などのアウトリーチ活動から、社会変化・文化変化への市民の関心を高め、他方で重要文化財ともなっている神子柴遺跡出土石器ほか当該石器群の文化財保護の啓発にも寄与したものと考えられる。