Archaeologists in Japan have discovered a clay statue of a woman dating back approximately 1,500 years, and an ornate clay earring dating back approximately 2,900 years, in findings that provide evidence of the beliefs, adornment styles, and craftsmanship skills of ancient Japanese people.
Details of the Statue and Earring
The Heritage Daily website, specializing in archaeology and heritage news, reported on Sunday that the statue was found at the Nishkamonomiya archaeological site in Gunma Prefecture in central Japan, while the earring was discovered at the Shinfukoji archaeological site in Saitama Prefecture, during excavation works carried out in July.
The remaining part of the statue is approximately 41 centimeters high, showing details of the face, clothing, and hairstyle, along with traces of red pigment. The figure holds a stick-like object in its left hand. The statue dates back to the second half of the 5th century AD, during the Kofun historical period, and is classified among clay statues known as "Haniwa," which were placed near burial mounds.
Ornaments and Exchange of Expertise
The earring has a diameter of approximately eight centimeters and is distinguished by fine spiral ornaments and precise holes, with some parts not exceeding one millimeter in thickness. Traces of red pigment were also found on its surface, indicating that it was originally colored. This artifact dates back to the late Jomon period, approximately 3,000 years ago.
The ornaments and shape of the earring resemble archaeological jewelry found in other regions of Japan, including Gunma and Tokyo Prefectures, which may indicate an exchange of artistic expertise among ancient communities. Meanwhile, the details of the statue allow for the study of aspects of clothing, adornment, and beliefs during the Kofun period.
Expanding Historical Knowledge
These two discoveries contribute to expanding knowledge of the history of ancient Japanese society, through the evidence they provide on artistic and social traditions and the development of craftsmanship skills across different historical periods.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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