Research on the Technological History of Mining Industry (Gold. Silver and Copper) of the Feudal Age through Analysis of the Stone Mills.

本课题旨在通过对石米尔斯和石矿磨粉机的分析，揭示封建时代采矿业的技术起源和发展。在东北地区的20个矿场中发现了200多件这样的石器。中部对Kimki和Chugoku地区进行了考察，并制作了许多照片和图纸以供报告。从文献资料和考古资料中推断出每个矿山的运营时间和米尔斯的日期。米尔斯分类根据形态特征和类型的磨损所造成的粉化。这种分类被认为是符合功能发育过程的雅阁。从这一理解可以得出，中世纪晚期（内战时期）采矿业最突出的发展是一个独立的现象。迄今为止，日本矿业史的研究虽然缺乏文献资料，尤其是中世纪时期的资料，但仍完全依赖于文献资料。山区保存完好的古矿山遗址不在少数。这些遗址的资料将有助于打破这一领域研究的僵局。该项目表明，矿米尔斯是矿业考古的关键材料。

This project was designed to throw light on the technological origin and development in mining industry of the feudal age through analysis of the stone mills and querns used for powdering ore. More than 200 such stone tools from 20 mine sites in the Tohoku. Chubu. Kimki and Chugoku districts were examined and many photographs and drawings of them were made for reports.The operation period of each mine and the dates of the mills were inferred from documentary material and archaeological deta. The mills were classified according to morphological features and types of wear resulted from powdering. This classification was seen to accord with the process of functional development. From this understanding it followed that the most prominent development in mining industry during the late medieval ages (the age of civil wars) was an independent phenomenon. quite different view from the former one that had stressed technological transmission from the continent.So far, the historical study of Japanese mining has wholly depended on documentary material in spite of its shortage especially for the medieval age. There are not a few sites of historical mines preserved in good condition in mountainous area. Deta from such sites will be helpful to surmount the deadlock of study in this field. This project has showed that mine mills are the key material for the mining archaeology.