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

该项目旨在通过分析用于磨粉矿石的石磨和石锅，揭示封建时代采矿业的技术起源和发展。这些石磨和石锅来自东北20个矿区的200多个石制工具。中部。检查了Kimki和Chugoku地区，并为报道制作了许多照片和图纸。从文献资料和考古资料中推断出每个矿山的经营时期和工厂的日期。根据磨粒的形态特征和磨粒磨损类型对磨粒进行分类。这种分类被认为是符合功能发展过程的。根据这种理解，采矿业在中世纪晚期（内战时代）的最突出发展是一种独立的现象。与前一种强调技术来自非洲大陆的观点完全不同。迄今为止，对日本矿业的历史研究完全依赖文献资料，尽管文献资料十分缺乏，尤其是中世纪的文献资料。在山区有不少保存完好的历史矿山遗址。从这些地方出发将有助于突破这一领域研究的僵局。该项目表明，矿磨是矿山考古的重要材料。

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.