Environmental archaeological study about food habits in Ancient Japan

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870928
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Japanese history; 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, 主任研究員 (50510814)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 古代 / 動物 / 食

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using food remains recovered from excavations at archeological sites, this study examines the situation of animal-based foods from the Kofun period to the Heian period. Through researching the ancient capital cities of Japan, animal remains excavated from sites such as the Fujiwara Palace and Heijo Palace are analyzed, and the distribution of seafood into urban areas is investigated. In regional studies, the situation in terms of diet and cuisine is clarified. Tribute payments of seafood before the development of the ritsuryo system are elucidated, and their historical transitions discussed. Additionally, a comparison of archaeological and documentary materials reveals major discrepancies in the values of foodstuffs, indicating that it is possible to draw a distinction between “activities involving the acquisition of food for paying tribute to the central government” and “activities involving the acquisition of food for local distribution and consumption.”

Free Research Field

動物考古学