Abstract
The Motonobaru site is one of the largest villages in the late Jomon period in Kyushu about 4300–3500 years ago located 50 km west of the center of Miyazaki City. We conducted examinations of 179,135 Jomon earthenware sherds from this site 36 times using the “impression method” and found more than 500 impressions of plant seeds/fruits, including legumes, along with house pest insects. Before our investigation, the site had only charred acorns of Quercus sp. that were estimated as plant dietary resources. Our studies using an X-ray equipment revealed the largest number of bean impressions including soybeans and adzuki beans in Kyushu and the first discovery of earthenware incorporating multiple bean seeds. These findings suggested the possibility of the earliest legume cultivation in Kyushu and the emergence of spiritual and ceremonial practices for a good harvest of cultivated crops. Additionally, the high density of legume seeds in the earthenware fabric strongly indicated the intentional mixing of legume seeds in the clay.
