Asuka Palace Site
飛鳥宮跡
Japan · Nara
In brief
Asuka Palace Site contains the superimposed remains of palaces belonging to successive rulers. Excavations have uncovered stone paving, water installations and foundation traces of large wooden buildings.
What was found?
- 1Palace postholes
These are traces of palace buildings constructed with wooden posts embedded in the ground. They allow the dimensions, orientations, and spatial divisions of the buildings to be determined.
- 2Stone-paved plaza
This is a stone-paved open area surviving from the upper palace phase. According to researchers, it may have been arranged for ceremonies.
- 3Stone-lined well
These are the remains of a well in the middle of the stone-paved area. It is a tangible example of water infrastructure in the palace area.
- 4Superimposed palace layers
Excavations have distinguished construction phases belonging to successive palaces at the same location. These layers show that the area was reused during the reigns of different rulers.
What does it point to?
The Asuka Palace Site shows that the administrative center was reestablished at the same location and that palace spaces changed over time. Postholes and stone paving allow wooden architecture and possible ceremonial areas to be interpreted together.
What did it teach us?
- It revealed successive palace phases at a location thought to contain a single palace.
- Wooden documents and ceramic dating made it possible to associate construction phases with historical palaces.
- It showed that the excavated palace buildings were structures with posts embedded in the ground and did not have tiled roofs.
Images
Latest news / selected archive
New postholes found during the 191st excavation campaign in 2024 confirmed the layout and dimensions of the large SB0934 building.
Record
- Culture
- Japanese state of the Asuka period
- First modern dig
- 1959
- Team / historical
- Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture
- Coordinates
- 34.4719°, 135.8203°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Heijō Palace Site 25 km
- Yoshinogari 517 km
- Wolseong Palace Site 618 km
- Mireuksa Temple Site 816 km
- Gongsanseong Fortress 817 km
- Sannai-Maruyama 825 km
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- 12.000
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