The Stunning Yoshinogari Site
Kanzaki is a thriving, modern city in Saga Prefecture, Japan. The city was established only recently on January 1, 2007, from the merger of the towns of Kanzaki, Chiyoda, and the village of Sefuri. Yoshinogari (吉野ヶ里 遺跡), or Yoshinogari Iseki, is a complex in Yayoi archeological site in Kanzaki and Yoshinogari. The site dates back to the 3rd century BCE all the way to the 3rd century CE.
The Yoshinogari archaeological site plays a significant role in Japanese and world prehistory because of the important nature of the settlement, its massive size, and the ancient artifacts found in the area. The whole archaeological site consists of a settlement, a multiple ditch-and-palisade enclosed precinct, and a cemetery. Ancient artifacts have been unearthed such as bronze mirrors from China, Japanese-style bronze mirrors, coins, bronze daggers, bells, halberds, iron tools, prehistoric human remains, wooden tools, and many other precious archaeological vestiges.
Dwellings at the Yoshinogari site.
Yoshinogari lies on a hilly area of about 40 hectares. It has been continually excavated by several agencies since 1986 and is a major tourist destination. Aside from archaeological artifacts, there are also more than 2,000 tombs found in the site that contain pot coffins, storehouses with elevated floorings, and remains of pit dwellings. The relics found in the site match the description of Yamatai-koku governed by Queen Himiko in the Chinese history book entitled “Gishi-wajin-den” of the 3rd century. This signifies that the origin of Japan lies in northern Kyushu. Articles and models of the site can be seen at the Yoshinogari Exhibition Hall.
Yoshinogari has wondrous artifacts that tell us about the long and proud history of Japan and its people. Its significance in Japanese history made it a “Special National Historic Site” in 1991, and a National Park was created there in 1992. It is just one of the many places to see when visiting Japan.
