Location Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation

Large structure pillar base

The Yata site is a settlement site that extends over a flat area about 1 km from Nanao-nishi Bay, with an estimated range of approximately 250m east to west and 300m north to south. Investigations revealed that three natural waterways flow through the settlement towards the sea, and from these waterways, pottery and wooden artifacts primarily from the middle Kofun period (250 AD – 538 AD), as well as from the late Yayoi period (around 50 to 250 AD) to the middle to late Kofun period (approx. 300 to 700 AD), were excavated. Benefiting from abundant groundwater, many wooden artifacts have been well-preserved in their original state, including construction materials such as pillars, floorboards, and ladders, as well as agricultural tools like plows and hoes, and various containers such as troughs. Among these, there are also wooden ritual implements in the shapes of swords and birds, suggesting ritual activities by the water's edge. Notable structures include a large building measuring approx. 9m on each side, confirmed on a slight elevation in the southwest of the site. The corner post holes are arranged radially, with pillars approximately 50cm in diameter set in place, and at the intersection of the diagonals, a small post hole accommodating a pillar base about 30cm in diameter was also found. This structure is thought to have been the residence of a powerful individual or a ritual site, and there is a possibility that it dates back to the late Yayoi period to early Kofun period, predating the main period of the waterways. Future carbon dating is expected to clarify the detailed chronology.

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