Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22)
Chalcolithic (regional)·Chalcolithic·🇯🇵 Nara, Asuka, Japan
About
About Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22)
Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) at Nara, Asuka, Japan is a Chalcolithic (regional) ancient city of the Chalcolithic tradition, built c. 800 BCE for fortress and associated settlement. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersLittle Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) at Nara, Asuka, Japan is a Chalcolithic (regional) ancient city of the Chalcolithic tradition, built c. 800 BCE
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 800 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (regional)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Fortress and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22)
On the ground
Structures & features
33.7622° N · 136.3454° E · 309 m · 4 mapped features
Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) Main Ancient-City Feature
structurePrimary ancient-city feature at Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) – central fortress and associated settlement element with stratified deposits
33.7622° N · 136.3454° ELittle Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) defining settlement or ritual space
33.7621° N · 136.3454° ELittle Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Little Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) ceremonial landscape
33.7623° N · 136.3453° ELittle Nara Fortress West — Nara, Asuka (54-22) Reservoir Cistern
hydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management
33.7621° N · 136.3453° E