Research on the production and circulation of Kofun-period metal weapons using advanced scientific instruments

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K13136
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: RYAN Joseph 岡山大学, 文明動態学研究所, 特任准教授 (40878469)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 考古学 / デジタルマイクロスコープ / 武器 / 有機物 / 生産と流通 / 国家形成

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to shed light on the nature of tanged spear production and circulation in the Kofun period, I analyzed the material, width, and twist direction of the organic fibers wrapped around the spears utilizing a digital microscope. As a result, I was able to confirm that tanged spears were centrally produced under very similar conditions. Additionally, a consideration of the burial goods accompanying the tanged spears revealed that they were equipped with different types of fibers than the spears, suggesting an independent production system. Furthermore, I analyzed the fiber-wrapped swords of the Middle Yayoi period in order to relativize the production and circulation system of tanged spears and its sociopolitical significance. Lastly, I considered the nature of interregional and center-periphery relations from the perspective of weapon production and circulation.

Free Research Field

考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

古墳時代の初期ヤマト政権を象徴するヤリに巻かれている糸は、検討対象とされてこなかった。そのため、糸の素材、幅、撚りの有無、撚りの回転方向を悉皆的にデジタルマイクロスコープで観察し、その生産・流通体制を実証的に検討した本研究は学術的意義を有すると評価できる。また、ヤリだけでなく、同時期の刀剣や、鉄鏃、銅鏃、農工漁具などほかの器物にみられる糸との比較を行い、古墳時代における手工業生産の多元性を明らかにしたことも重要な成果である。さらに、古墳時代研究に留まらず、海外の考古学的研究を援用し、古墳時代の手工業生産と政治権力との関係の相対化を図ったことも、人類史への位置付けにつながる。