An archaeological study on local ruling systems in state formation process as seen from 3D measurement of horizontal stone chamber tombs in Northern Kyushu, Japan, during the 6th to 7th centuries AD

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K01076
• 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: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: TSUJITA Jun'ichiro 九州大学, 人文科学研究院, 准教授 (50372751)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 考古学 / 古墳時代後期 / 横穴式石室 / 三次元計測 / 北部九州

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the author discussed about local ruling systems in the process of state formation in northern Kyushu region by analyzing keyhole-shaped tumuli and its mortuary facilities, horizontal stone chamber tombs, during the 6th to 7th centuries. In this analysis, the author used 3D measurement for observing horizontal stone chambers.
As a result, the author classified the ways of ceasing of keyhole-shaped tumuli construction for three types in northern Kyushu region and found that the local types of horizontal stone chamber were used for the elites' tumuli in each types. The author concluded that the local societies were ruled and ordered not only by the political connection with the central authority but also by local elites in this period,

Free Research Field

考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本列島の古代国家形成過程と地域支配の実態を考える上では，考古学・文献史学双方の成果が重要である。本研究では，考古学的な資料として，北部九州における6・7世紀代の古墳と埋葬施設としての横穴式石室および副葬品などを扱いながら，6・7世紀のミヤケ制・部民制といった文献史学の成果との接合を試みた。
その結果，北部九州の中でも那津官家などが設置された博多湾沿岸地域と，有力氏族の勢力基盤が安定した地域などでは前方後円墳の築造停止過程が異なることなどを確認した。このことは，ミヤケ制や部民制の地域的実態を示すとともに，古代国家形成過程を実証的に説明する上での考古学的資料・方法の有効性を示すものと考える。