Basic study on the relationship between horses and salts in central Japan during the state formation period

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01122
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
• Research Institution: Kashihara Archaeological Institute , Nara prefecture
• Principal Investigator: AOYAGI TAISUKE 奈良県立橿原考古学研究所, 企画学芸部学芸課, 係長 (60270774)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ウマ遺存体 / 製塩土器 / 鍛冶関連遺物 / 木製馬具 / 馬匹生産

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focuses on the relationship between equine remains (horse teeth and bones) and salt-producing pottery in the Nara Basin area during the Kofun and Asuka periods (3rd to 7th centuries). Salt is thought to be essential for horses as fodder, but its actual presence has been unknown. In this study, we compared the excavation of salt-producing pottery and horse remains at large-scale settlements of the period, such as the Nango site (Gose City), the Huru site (Tenri City), and the Jurokusen-Yakkoji site (Tawaramoto Town), and investigated the specific relationship between the two. Although we were unable to obtain sufficient results, we were able to assume a relationship with important artifacts related to handicraft production, such as blacksmithing and woodworking (wooden harness), and we were able to reaffirm our belief that the production of horses was a comprehensive industry at that time.

Free Research Field

東アジア考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果の学術的意議については、ウマにとって塩は、従来は飼料としての位置づけを中心に考察されてきたが、本研究を通じて、それ以外の位置づけもできることが鮮明になった。それだけではなく、馬匹生産には鍛冶関連遺物や木工（木製馬具）などのいろいろな手工業生産との関わりがあることもみえてきた。社会的意議については、少し前まで日本列島では一般的だったウマの存在が、実は古墳時代中期以前については一般的ではなく、先人たちが苦労して根付かせていったことが本研究を通しても理解できること。