Yayoi cemetery in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. The remains of at least 200 men and women of various ages were found buried in pits, in extended or flexed position. The presence of iron nails suggests the use of wooden coffins in some cases, while in others a stone was placed at each side of the head and feet of the body. In a few instances the walls and the top of the pit were covered with stone slabs. Burial jars were not used. Apart from personal ornaments of glass, stone and shell, the burials were sparsely furnished, unlike the Middle Yayoi burials, such as Sugu, in Kyushu.
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied