Gossakaito, Iron Age archaeological site in Kurodani, Awaji, Japan
Gossakaito is an archaeological site located in the hills near Awaji Island's western coast, where an ancient settlement from the late Yayoi period was uncovered. The grounds contain the outlines of around 20 buildings, including sunken pit dwellings and workshops dedicated to metalworking.
The settlement emerged during the late Yayoi period, when metalworking and trade networks expanded across Japan. Archaeological evidence from the early 1st century shows this location served as a metalworking center over several generations.
The site shows how people lived and worked together in this region during the early stages of Japanese civilization. The remains give a window into daily life, crafts, and how communities organized themselves around metalwork and sea resources.
The site is walkable with marked paths through the excavation areas, which are clearly identified. Museum buildings provide shelter and display artifacts that help visitors understand the remains and how the ancient settlement was organized.
The site contained multiple dozens of furnaces all operating at the same time, making it a rare example of large-scale metalwork production. This concentration of workshops in one location reveals how specialized crafts were organized in ancient Japan.
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