Mikoshiba ruins

This is a site from the end of the Paleolithic period located in Mikoshiba, Minamiminowa Village, Kamiina County, Nagano Prefecture. It was investigated in 1958 by Fujisawa Sohei and Hayashi Shigeki. A total of 43 artifacts were excavated from an area 5 meters long and 3 meters short, including 16 spear-shaped points, 12 blade-shaped stone tools, 3 scraper-shaped stone tools, 7 stone cores, 4 rough stones, and 1 natural stone. The stone tools attracted attention because they were perfectly formed and regularly arranged. No remains were visible to the naked eye at the site where the artifacts were found. Due to the unique condition of the artifacts when they were excavated, various interpretations have been made, including theories that they were a dwelling, a burial mound, or a depot (burial facility), but the theory that they were trade-related items is established by recognizing the subdivision of eight groups. The stones used include diorite, obsidian, and shale, and the selection was based on the characteristics of the stone tools.

[Yu Aso]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

長野県上伊那(かみいな)郡南箕輪(みなみみのわ)村神子柴にある旧石器時代末期の遺跡。1958年（昭和33）藤沢宗平(そうへい)、林茂樹(しげき)が調査。槍先(やりさき)形尖頭器(せんとうき)16、刃器(じんき)状石器12、掻器(そうき)形石器3、石核7、原石4、自然石1の計43の遺物が、長径5メートル、短径3メートルの範囲からまとまって出土した。石器は、定型的で秀逸な完形品が規則的に集積、配列されていたため注目を集めた。遺物の出土地点では、肉眼的には遺構が確認されていない。遺物の出土状態の特異性から、住居説、墳墓説、デポ（埋納施設）説などの解釈がなされたが、八群の細別分布を認めて交易関係の品物であるとの考説が成立するという。石質は閃緑岩(せんりょくがん)、黒曜(こくよう)石、頁(けつ)岩などを用いているが、石器の特性に応じた選定をみる。

［麻生　優］

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