Feartured exhibition
“Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Osaka 2007”

7th Nov., 2007 - 27th Dec., 2007

Last update: 28th Nov., 2007

This exhibition features the results of archaeological research carried out in Osaka city fiscal 2006 (Heisei 18), covering from Late Yayoi period (1,900 years ago) until the Modern period (20th century AD).

The remarkable results are discovered from Naniwa Palace site, including the wooden tablet bearing the oldest Man’yougana style ink inscription, discovery of tower building enclosed with stone pavement and cloister, and excavation of Latter Naniwa palace and terminal ridge end tile. And excavation of Yayoi period settlement in Nagahara site, posthole building of Saikudani site, and investigation of Osaka castle are also noteworthy.

oreover, Osaka Center for Cultural Heritage, Osaka City Cultural Properties Association and Osaka Museum of History provide the special section about Yayoi period building from Osaka prefecture, Nagahara, Yaominami and Kyuhouji site. And relating symposium will be held 16th December at this museum.

- Exhibition Corner -

  1. The dawn of Naniwa - Yayoi and Kofun period Osaka - The circular shaped pit dwellings is discovered at Nagahara site. It was excavated burned down condition, daily goods was left on the floor in situ. At Nagahara and Saikudani site the pottery and other goods which show the traces of migrants from Korean peninsular. Fishermen’s settlement was excavated at Abenosuji-minami site.
  2. Naniwa Palace and Capital In 2006 many discoveries about Naniwa palace and capital were recovered.
    1. Naniwa palace
      The wooden tablet bearing the oldest Man’yougana style inscription from the old valley at southwestern side. And tower building enclosed with cloister was detected at east side. Moreover the feature of tamped earthen wall was discovered at west side of the palace, and terminal ridge end tile was excavated.
    2. Naniwa capital
      The evidence relating Naniwa capital were accumulated in recent days at southern side of the palace. At Saikudani site the area where the Kudara nunnery was estimated was excavated. The old valley and posthole type building were detected. And Nara and Heian period posthole building were discovered at Uehonmacih-minami site.
  3. Settlement and Workshop of Middle period The new evidence about unknown site are obtained at several area. At Amami-nishi site pottery hoard for land placating was detected. The workshop feature relating the metal casting at Karita 4-chome site. Moreover the feature of rooftile kiln was detected at Daidou 1-chome site.
  4. Osaka castle and Castle town site Rooftile of Toyotomi phase was detected at Osaka castle, it show the relation of Himeji castle. And banquet ceramic tableware was discovered at San’nomaru. At Ten’ma-honganji temple the stonewall was discovered. Moreover unknown history of shell top will be shown.
  5. Modern: pharmacy in Abeno suffered bombing during World War II Osaka was bombed many times during world war II. The underground warehouse was discovered, the glass and metal vessel and tools relating medicine and cosmetics were recovered.
  6. Special feature
    [Investigation of Yayoi period pit dwellings]
    Osaka center for cultural heritage, Osaka city cultural properties association and Osaka museum of history exhibit the evidence about pit dwellings of Yayoi period. And the symposium “Investigation of Yayoi period pit dwellings –Nagahara, Yaominami and Kyuhoji site-”will be held, December 16th 2007.

- Principal Materials -


Pottery excavated from burned down dwelling

Pottery excavated from burned down dwelling

Nagahara site,
Later Yayoi period,
1-2th C. AD


Wooden tablet bearing Man’yougana style ink inscription

Wooden tablet bearing Man’yougana style ink inscription

Naniwa palace site,
Asuka period,
7th C. AD


Terminal ridge end tile with concentric pattern

Terminal ridge end tile with concentric pattern

Naniwa palace site,
Nara period,
8th C. AD