Yamamoto Site

The Yamamoto ruins in Murakami, Niigata, Japan, represent a significant archaeological site from the Yayoi period, distinguished as the most northerly moated hilltop settlement discovered from this era. Situated 40 meters above sea level, the site spans about 20,000 square meters and comprises a residential area and a separate burial ground. Key features include the remains of one pit dwelling, a trapezoidal defensive moat, and 17 graves, four of which contained earthenware coffins. Artifacts such as Yayoi and Jomon pottery, a small iron sword, stone tools, and numerous glass beads and bronze tubes highlight the site's cultural significance. Designated a National Historic Site in 2016, the Yamamoto site offers valuable insights into the Yayoi period's social and defensive strategies.