Well unearthed in Nara linked to special ceremonies in 8th century - The Mainichi Daily News
NARA -- A large hexagonal well dating back to the Nara Period was unearthed from the remains of the ancient capital of Heijo-kyo, leading researchers to believe that the well had likely been used for special occasions.
The well -- two-tiered with the upper part square-shaped and the lower part hexagonal -- was found in an area called Sakyo Sanjo Ichibo, some 130 meters southeast of the Heijo-kyu palace's main Suzaku-mon gate, researchers at the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties announced on March 3.
Since the area in front of the Suzaku-mon gate had been used as a venue for official ceremonies, including rituals welcoming and bidding farewell to foreign envoys, it is highly likely that the well had played a special role during those ceremonies. It is the largest known well among those found in the former Heijo-kyo capital except for inside the Heijo-kyu palace.
The well's upper part measures some 2.5 meters each side and the lower part some 1.1 meters each side, with the latter's depth reaching some 1.8 meters. With the upper and lower parts combined, the well was apparently three meters deep in total.
Grooved pillars were found buried at the four corners surrounding the well, with plates fitted into the grooves. The frame for the upper well has been removed.
Since Haji pottery jars and eaves tiles have also been unearthed, it is believed that the well had been in use in the latter 8th century.
"Despite the presence of the huge well, which is located near the Suzaku-mon gate, no signs of people having lived there were found. We'd like to clarify the whole picture through supplementary studies in the next fiscal year," said Kazuo Inoue, deputy head of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
