Artifacts Excavated from the Ushiroya Site in Saitama

Jomon Ornaments, Lacquer and Woodwork from a Wetland Site

The Artifacts Excavated from the Ushiroya Site in Saitama (埼玉県後谷遺跡出土品) is a set of Late to Final Jomon artifacts excavated from the Ushiroya site in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture, which in 2011 were designated an Important Cultural Property.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records them as owned by Okegawa City and kept at the Okegawa City History and Folklore Museum.

The Agency lists 324 pieces of pottery and clay objects, 52 wooden objects, 13 lacquered objects and 256 stone objects.

The Site and Excavation

According to the Agency, the site lies in the north of the Omiya upland, on a low peninsula-like terrace and surrounding lowland facing the Motoarakawa River. Five excavations have been made since the first by the Urawa Archaeological Society in 1966.

The fourth, from 1987 to 1989, investigated the settlement on the terrace and the artifact-bearing deposits in the lowland, finding 14 pit dwellings, 26 pits and 45 hearths on the terrace and four wooden structures and a wooden walkway in the lowland. The designated finds come from this excavation.

What to Look For

The Agency highlights, besides deep pots, arrowheads and net sinkers, a rich variety of clay objects: a figurine with wood surviving in its earring hole, and finely made clay earrings still bearing red paint and lacquer, are characteristic of the site.

Wooden finds are mainly bows and paddle-like objects, with many unfinished pieces important for reconstructing livelihoods and woodworking. Lacquered finds include decorated bows, hairpins and several red-lacquered combs with their teeth intact.

Visiting the Artifacts Excavated from the Ushiroya Site in Saitama

The finds are kept at the Okegawa City History and Folklore Museum; check the museum for display schedules.