On the Excavation of Tokachiputo Site

Abstract

The site Tokachiputo, Tokachi-gun, Hokkaido, is located at about 30 meters above sea level on a hill, some three hundred meters north from the mouth of the Tokachi River (Fig. I). Our digging work was carried out in the period from July 17 to 25 in 1965. We excavated two pit-dwelling sites of the so-called Satsumon Pottery Period.Dwelling-pit, No. 1 having a rectangular ground-plan measured at 640cm. by 590cm., showed traces of 4 postholes (Fig. II), while No. 2, an indeterminate rec- tangle about 450cm. by 400cm., had only 3 holes (Fig. VII). Each of them had a hearth in the center of the floor and also a remain of a kiln at the southeast wall (Fig. VI). The artificial relics from these pits consist entirely of pottery which includes deep bowls and pedestalled bowls belonging to the Satsumon Period (Fig. VIII).These facts showed that both pits have great resemblance to those from other sites of the same period, in such features as ground-plans, interior establishments, artificial relics etc.. The dwelling-pits, however, showed some new facts as in the following :1. It is estimated that the bright yellow layer, lying outside the wall under the first layer, was the then surface of the earth when the dwelling-pit was dug (Fig. II, VII).2. It is estimated that the inner part of the black layer (the third layer), beingpiled up outside and inside of the pit constantly, was the earth covering of the roof (Fig. II, VII, IX).3, On the floor of the pit No. 1 there were many pieces of carbonized wood (Salix sachalinensis Fr. Schmidt) and grass (Phragmites communis Trinius), much of them showing uniform arrangement and direction. They were parhaps used as the construction materials (Fig.II, IV, V).4. The circumferential region of the floor of the pit No. 1 was covered with parched soil, which is thicker near the wall, and not found in the center. The feature seems to suggest that the smokehole would be in the center of the roof and it served as doorway.5. Inside the pit No. 1 along the northeast wall, a low and wide earthen bench was made.