2007 Volume 14 Issue 24 Pages 135-144
The fiscal 2006 excavation of the historic site, Tokutanjo stronghold remains, was conducted on an inner area of the west gate of the outer castle at its 65th excavation. The area sits on the western rim of the terrace where the site was located, and a wetland is found to the west. The research was conducted with an aim to understand archaeological features in a wetland environment.
As a result, it became clear that there existed multiple studio facilities. These had two studios and annexes that were surrounded by a ditch, and the wetland environment in the west area was studied.
In between the two studio facilities, a well was discovered, and from the bottom of the well, a "wooden helmet" which was converted to a bucket, was excavated. The surface of the wooden helmet was painted with black lacquer, and its shape, style, and size were similar to iron helmets from the end of the Kofun Period. The C-14 dating on the lac-quer was measured as 640-690 cal. AD.
Also, it was found that the top board of koto was converted and used in the wooden framing of the well. It is worth attention as an indication of Ritsuryo ritual in a stronghold.
