Report on the 2024 excavation of the Komatsu Cave site in Iwate Prefecture

Abstract

This manuscript reports on the excavation of the Komatsu Cave site, Sumita-cho, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, conducted from April 27 to May 4, 2024. In this study, a 1m × 2m area within the Komatsu Cave No. 1 cave was excavated with the aim of discovering human remains from the Yayoi period. A post-modern human-disturbed pit was identified on the east side of the excavation area, and human bones, Jomon pottery, animal remains, and stone tools were excavated from within the pit. The human remains have been disturbed and the period is uncertain, at least three individuals are present. Based on the human remains excavated in this excavation and the presence of human remains from the Middle Yayoi period suggest the possibility of the existence of the grave site in Komatsu Cave 1. We plan to excavate the western side of the cave 1 when the effects of disturbance have not been confirmed.