[1]Excavation[2]Scientific[3]Stonework[4]Documents[5]Others

Stonework, especially tombstones, tells us a lot as they have dates and names inscribed. We can learn from the changing shapes of stonework how and when the masons' skill improved. We can also learn how the population changed with respect to the changes in mine development.  Walking on the hills and valleys, we perform researches on the location and the amount of masonry present. This year we covered the valleys in Ginzan-cho such as Yasumidani, Shimizudani and Shimogawara District and confirmed about 1,000 pieces of stonework.  In a thorough investigation, we make a survey map and perform photogrammetry, taking pictures of all the pieces of stonework in one area. This year we investigated about 700 pieces around Ryushoji Temple Ruins. Discovered here were a good number of stone carvings made from the Warring State Period to the Edo Period when Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu played central parts in history. Thus these findings reconfirmed the prosperity of the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine that has already been proven true in past documents. Tomb of the 31st magistrate, Kawasaki Heiemon There are graves of local magistrates in the Ryushoji Temple Ruins. They are designated as Prefectural Cultural Property. Distribution map of stonework around the Ryusyoji Temple Ruins Most of the stonework was discovered on the leveled sites that had originally been ridges or slopes of hills. The older ones were found mostly on higher grounds. "Hokyointo"(pagoda) with inscriptions made out of one stone This pagoda shows us the technique of masonry in those days. Some of the pagodas have the dates inscribed, by which we can know when they were made. The earliest date inscribed on the stonework in the Ruins is of the 3rd year of Genki (1572). Stonework found There are many pieces of stonework discovered in bamboo groves, where many of which were fallen. [Excavation of Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine in 2000 (Business Year)]

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