Kusado Sengen, Archaeological excavation site in Fukuyama, Japan
Kusado Sengen is an underwater archaeological site containing remains of a medieval port town that stretched along the Ashida River, with residential buildings, craft workshops, and market structures. The location reveals how this settlement was organized and functioned as a trading hub.
The settlement thrived from the 13th to 16th centuries as a major trading port linking inland regions with maritime routes across the Seto Inland Sea. Successive layers of excavation reveal different periods of growth, prosperity, and eventual decline of the community.
The excavated wells, forges, and market areas reveal how craftspeople worked, merchants traded, and residents organized their daily routines in a medieval port community. These discoveries show the connections between different groups living and working in the settlement.
Artifacts and full-scale building reconstructions from the site are on display at the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History with detailed exhibits. Visiting this museum is the best way to learn about what was excavated and how people lived at this location.
Among thousands of artifacts, researchers discovered perilla oil lamps that reveal how residents and merchants lit their homes and workshops. These specific lighting methods provide clues about the resources available and the daily practices of the community.
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