Kanzaki Site, Archaeological site in Ayase, Japan
The Kanzaki Site is an archaeological site in Ayase, Japan, where the remains of an oval Yayoi-period settlement have been found. The defensive ditch that once enclosed the settlement is still traceable on the ground, giving a sense of how the space was laid out.
The site was found in 1987 during a city survey and dates to around the 2nd century AD. The pottery and structural traces recovered since then have helped researchers understand how people lived here during the Yayoi period.
The pottery found at this site comes from western parts of Japan, suggesting that people traveled long distances and settled here during the Yayoi period. Visitors who look closely at the objects in the museum can see how different groups once connected across the country.
A museum next to the site displays objects from the excavations and explains how the settlement developed over time. Visiting the museum before walking the grounds helps make sense of what can be seen outside.
Only a small part of the site has been excavated so far, meaning most of it still lies underground. The land around it has largely stayed undeveloped, which keeps the ground largely undisturbed for future work.
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