Seeds shed light on eating habits of ancient Japanese

About 20,000 seeds and fruits of 37 varieties have been found in the remains of ancient toilets at Heijokyu Palace, the nerve center of politics during the Nara Period (710-784).

Plant and fruit seeds found from the ruins of Heijokyu Palace in Nara
[Credit: Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties]

The findings could provide important clues about the diet of government officials from that period, the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties reported on July 2.

Seven holes were excavated in 2009 to the east of Chodoin hall, where political decisions and ceremonies took place. Stool lumps and “chugi” wooden sticks used as toilet paper were discovered.

Researchers strained the soil from one of the holes, 70 centimeters square and 30 cm deep, and studied the contents visually and microscopically.

They confirmed the presence of raspberries, persimmons, walnuts and eggplants as well as millets, such as “awa” and “hie.” The seeds discovered included bayberry, akebia, and crimson glory vine.

In addition, about 200 shells of fly larva were detected, indicating that the destructive insects may have been accidentally eaten with grain during the period.

Masaaki Kanehara, a professor of environmental archaeology at Nara University of Education, was impressed by the discovery of “sansho” Japanese pepper and “yanagitade” water pepper.

“They were likely added to meat as spices. They possibly loved pungent-tasting food,” Kanehara said. 

Author: Naoki Matsuyama | Source: The Asahi Shimbun [July 12, 2013]