【Gifu Prefecture, Hida City】A Feat for the First Time in 30 Years! 'Stone Rods', Prayer Tools of the Jomon Period Excavated in Miyagawa Town, Hida City, and 377 Other Items Designated as National Important Cultural Properties! Recognized for High Academic Value as Materials for Elucidating Production Processes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What significant archaeological discoveries have been made in Miyagawa Town, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture?

A: 377 items, including stone rods and Jomon pottery, excavated from the Shima Ruins and Shioya Kinseijinja Shrine Ruins have been recommended for designation as National Important Cultural Properties.

Q: What is the historical significance of the stone rods excavated from these ruins?

A: The stone rods are representative ritual objects of the Jomon period, and the ruins clearly preserve traces of their production process from approximately 4,500 to 3,500 years ago.

Q: What makes the Shima Ruins and Shioya Kinseijinja Shrine Ruins particularly valuable for research?

A: These ruins are recognized as a 'Sacred Site for Stone Rods' because they systematically demonstrate the transition of stone rod forms and reveal advanced processing techniques.

Q: What types of items are included in the 377 items recommended for designation?

A: The main designation includes 284 items, comprising 171 stone rods and 113 tools (percussion stones and grinding stones). Attached items include flakes, raw stones, Jomon pottery, and other stone tools.

Q: How many National Important Cultural Properties does Hida City now have, and what is the significance of this new designation?

A: This recommendation brings the total to 11 national cultural properties in Hida City and marks the second National Important Cultural Property (Art and Crafts) designation for the city.