Seta Hills Production Sites

The Seta Hills Production Sites are a significant group of archaeological locations in the Kansai region of Japan, known for their ancient industrial facilities, particularly during the Nara period. Located in the cities of Kusatsu and Ōtsu, these sites harnessed local iron ore deposits and forest resources, facilitating iron smelting. The Noji Onoyama Ironworks is notably the largest and best-preserved site among many iron smelting ruins. The Yamanokami site, added to the National Historic Site designation in 2006, contains 14 Anagama kilns used for crafting Sue ware pottery. These sites were instrumental in supporting infrastructure projects such as the construction of Fujiwara-kyo and Heian-kyo during the period when the capital was at Ōmi Ōtsu Palace. They underscore the advanced industrial activities during this era and their role in ancient Japanese construction and economy.