Location Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation

Uwadana-Nakamurabatake Artifact: Drinking-Horn-Shaped Sue Ware

The Uwadana Nakamurabatake Site is located at the edge of a hill on the right bank of the Oko River, which once flowed into the innermost part of Fukuno Lagoon.
This drinking-horn-shaped Sue ware item was found in a large ditch that flows across the site toward the Oko River. It is almost a complete specimen, featuring an oval shape of diameter 9.8 x 8.7 cm and a height of 20 cm. Of the eight sections each divided by two sunken lines, the upper four sections feature diagonal dot patterns made with a comb-like tool, and the lower two sections have incised patterns made with a spatula-like tool. The pointed bottom, which is curved into the shape of a rhinoceros horn, has a hole for a string to pass through.
Drinking horns were vessels originally made of hollowed-out animals’ horns. It is said that they were preferred and used by nomadic tribes in Central Asia, and that the material was changed to Sue ware on the Korean peninsula and then introduced to Japan. Although some items have been excavated from kiln ruins in Japan, and it is known that they were produced domestically, this is a valuable artifact of which only around 20 examples have been excavated nationwide so far.

Downloading, taking screenshots, conversion, reprinting, etc. of the content on this website, including the text and images, without prior consent are prohibited.