The remains of a huge kitchen dating to the latter half of the Nara Period (710-784) have apparently been unearthed here.
The ruins of a massive well and other structures were discovered on the grounds where the Heijo Imperial Palace, a designated special historic site, formerly stood, [...]
As the discovery site is part of the Toin district that was home to the crown prince’s residence and other important buildings, historians said the newly discovered facility was likely used to cook for the upper crust at imperial banquets.
The well was surrounded by a 4-meter-square building frame placed at the center of a square-shaped area measuring 9.5 meters east to west and 9 meters north to south.
The size of the structure is comparable to one found at the former site of the emperor’s residence at the Heijo Imperial Palace.
While remains of a building equipped with an eave measuring more than 18 meters east to west and 9 meters north to south were also unearthed just west of the well, a 1-meter-wide, 60-centimeter-deep groove connecting the building and the well was also discovered.
The groove branches off and extends to the inside of the building. A lot of tableware, cooking utensils, containers and other types of earthenware were unearthed in the forked groove.
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