Five-Meter Accuracy 3D Maps Illuminate Ancient Japan 1,800 Years Ago: Location of Yamatai Queendom

1. Introduction

In the field of ancient history studies conducted by Japanese researchers, approaches primarily based on philological analysis and archaeological excavation findings have dominated until now. Recently, however, research methodologies that actively incorporate digital technologies have begun to emerge, albeit at an exploratory stage. Examples include large-scale data processing that leverages remote sensing and image analysis techniques, such as studies of the Nazca Lines in Peru [1], as well as airborne laser scanning (LiDAR)-based surveys of burial mound groups [2]. In addition, efforts aimed at generating new insights—such as the automated detection of burial mounds through AI-based map analysis [3]—are gradually advancing.

Nevertheless, for major themes in ancient Japanese history, particularly those that are widely debated, comprehensive analytical frameworks that integrate data science methodologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) remain scarce. Moreover, within Japan, methodological frameworks that utilize large-scale, interdisciplinary datasets to evaluate historical theories in ways that are not only statistically rigorous but also visually intuitive have yet to be fully established.

Against this backdrop, the present study utilizes research data that are currently relatively easy to obtain and attempts to analyze the spatial distribution of Yayoi-period archaeological sites using the “5-meter Accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM)” (hereafter, 5m DEM) developed by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (hereafter, GSI) [4]. Through this approach, the study aims to reconstruct the geographical conditions of ancient Japan approximately 1,800 years ago and to provide a new perspective on the long-standing debate concerning the location of Yamatai.

2. Yamatai Queendom (Yamataikoku)

2.1. Overview of Yamatai

Yamatai Queendom (Yamataikoku, hereafter, Yamatai) known as a powerful political confederation that unified multiple small polities in the Japanese archipelago during the third century CE, occupies a central position in discussions of early Japanese state formation (Table 1). Descriptions of its political structure and historical context rely heavily on the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), specifically in the Wei Shu section on the Eastern Barbarians, commonly referred to as the “Account of the Wa People” (Wei Zhi Woren Zhuan, hereafter, Wei Zhi).

Around 1,800 years ago, during the late Yayoi period, the Japanese archipelago (then referred to as Wa) was engulfed in prolonged internal conflict beginning in the latter half of the second century CE, commonly known as the “Great Disturbance of Wa” (Wakoku Tairan). This turmoil was eventually resolved when various polities collectively enthroned a single female ruler, Himiko, as queen. Himiko’s mode of governance was characterized by a fusion of ritual and political authority grounded in shamanistic practices referred to as “spirit-based rites” (kido). According to the Wei Zhi, Himiko remained secluded within the inner quarters of the palace, fulfilling religious and ritual functions, while her younger brother assisted with practical governance and diplomacy. This arrangement suggests a dual power structure combining sacred authority and administrative leadership.

2.2. Debate over Location

The debate concerning the location of Yamatai dates back to the Edo period, around 300 years ago, beginning with the work of Arai [5,6], and intensified dramatically in 1910 with the publication of the Kyushu theory by Shiratori [7] and the Kinai theory by Naito [8]. Since then, the “Kyushu theory” and the “Kinai theory” have remained in sharp opposition (Figure 1), generating sustained debate within both academic and public spheres [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23].

The Kyushu theory identifies candidate locations primarily in northern Kyushu—particularly in present-day Fukuoka, Saga, and Oita prefectures—and emphasizes dense late Yayoi settlement patterns, advanced metallurgical cultures, and geographical proximity to other Wa polities described in the Wei Zhi. In contrast, the Kinai theory regards the Makimuku Site in present-day Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, as the political core of Yamatai, citing the site’s large scale, chronological correspondence, and distinctive assemblage of artifacts as evidence of its central political role.

Despite extensive research, no decisive evidence—such as the unequivocal identification of Himiko’s tomb or the discovery of a golden royal seal—has yet been obtained. Consequently, the location of Yamatai remains a focal point of scholarly controversy.

2.3. Reasons the Debate Remains Unresolved

For proponents of the Kyushu theory, the most significant challenge lies in explaining the continuity—or lack thereof—between Yamatai and the later Yamato polity. If Yamatai were indeed located in northern Kyushu, it becomes necessary to account for why a powerful Kyushu-based political entity rapidly declined after the late third century, while a new political center emerged in the geographically distant Kinai region. This transition must be explained in political-historical and socio-structural terms.

At present, archaeological and textual evidence capable of clearly elucidating this process of political transformation remains limited. As a result, the issue of political succession constitutes a major theoretical difficulty for the Kyushu theory and contributes substantially to the persistence of the broader debate.

By contrast, the most critical difficulty faced by the Kinai theory lies in its consistency with the directional and distance information recorded in the Wei Zhi (Figure 2). According to this source, Yamatai is said to be reached from Fumi by traveling “southward by water for twenty days, and then overland for one month,” a journey that—even by conservative estimates for the period—would correspond to a distance of well over 1,000km. If this description is taken at face value, the itinerary does not extend as far as the Yamato (Kinai) region.

In order to sustain the Kinai theory, it is therefore necessary to introduce special interpretative assumptions, such as regarding the term “south” as a scribal error for “east,” or arguing that the recorded sailing directions were not based on precise observation. These interpretive adjustments have frequently been criticized as a point of vulnerability in textual criticism, as they rely on conjectural reinterpretation rather than straightforward reading of the source.

2.4. A GIS-Based Approach

The controversy surrounding the location of Yamatai represents one of the longest-standing debates in ancient Japanese historical studies. Traditionally, discussions have relied primarily on philological interpretations of historical texts and archaeological excavation data. However, the descriptions found in the Wei Zhi do not permit a single unambiguous reading, and archaeological materials continue to present challenges related to regional variability and chronological resolution. Consequently, a definitive conclusion has yet to be reached.

In light of these limitations, and against the backdrop of recent advances in digital technology, there is growing recognition of the need to re-examine the problem of Yamatai’s location through the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a complementary historical and archaeological methodology [26,27]. GIS enables the integrated handling of excavation records, reconstructed paleotopography, and environmental data, and has become an indispensable tool for spatial analysis of site distributions and for modeling ancient human activity areas. Moreover, GIS-based analyses facilitate the visualization of interregional interaction networks and the quantitative assessment of the archaeological impacts of paleoenvironmental change.

Such approaches go beyond the mere re-evaluation of existing materials and propose a new research paradigm. By integrating textual sources, archaeological evidence, and geographical data within a spatial modeling framework, GIS enhances the transparency and reproducibility of theory testing in ancient historical studies. It also provides quantitative foundations that were previously unattainable through purely qualitative reasoning, thereby opening new avenues for research on Yamatai.

In this study, as mentioned in Section 1, we employ the 5-meter Accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM), the 5m DEM, developed by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, which is relatively easy to access, to analyze the distribution of period-specific archaeological materials. This 5m DEM is a high-resolution digital elevation dataset that represents ground surface elevation at approximately 5-meter horizontal intervals. In Japan, it is primarily derived from airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) data and offers a substantial improvement in topographic detail compared with conventional 10m or 50m DEMs.

3. Methods for Estimating Location

3.1. Mapping of Archaeological Site Locations

For the regions corresponding to the Kyushu and Kinai theories discussed in Section 2.2, the locations of archaeological sites yielding characteristic Yayoi-period artifacts were plotted and visualized on the 5m DEM. The analysis focuses on artifacts that are regarded as particularly diagnostic for the period during which Yamatai is thought to have existed, namely:

a. Yayoi-period bronze mirrors

b. Yayoi-period iron arrowheads

c. Yayoi-period bronze bells

The Wei Shi records that one hundred bronze mirrors were bestowed upon the ruler of Yamatai, and also notes that the inhabitants of ancient Japan made use of iron arrowheads. For this reason, bronze mirrors and iron arrowheads are considered indispensable archaeological indicators when evaluating candidate locations for Yamatai. By contrast, although several hundred Yayoi-period bronze bells have been excavated to date, there is no reference whatsoever to bronze bells in the Wei Zhi. This discrepancy suggests that sites located within the political core of Yamatai should yield large quantities of bronze mirrors and iron arrowheads, while producing few, if any, bronze bells.

In plotting the distribution of these artifacts within a GIS environment, a weighting scheme was applied to reflect the number of items excavated from each site, thereby accounting for differences in assemblage scale. However, records lacking clear identification of either artifact type or site name were excluded from the analysis in order to ensure data reliability.

3.2. Data Sources and Software Versions

Data Sources

• Bronze Mirrors: Shimogaki (2016) [28].
• Iron Arrowheads: Kawagoe (2000) [29].
• Bronze Bells: Shimane Prefectural Board of Education, et al. (2002) [30,31].

Software Versions

• QGIS version 3.40 [32].

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  XYZ tile style: GSI color-coded elevation map (5m DEM) [4].

Conversion to Latitude and Longitude

• The University of Tokyo CSV Address Matching Service [33].

4. Results Based on GIS Analysis

4.1. Distribution of Yayoi-Period Bronze Mirrors

As shown in Table 2 and Figure 3 (with circle size reflecting the number of mirrors), Kyushu yielded more than the Kinai region.

4.2. Distribution of Yayoi-Period Iron Arrowheads

As shown in Table 3 and Figure 4 (with circle size reflecting the number of finds), Kyushu yielded more than the Kinai region.

4.3. Distribution of Yayoi-Period Bronze Bells

As shown in Table 4 and Figure 5 (with circle size reflecting the size of the bronze bells), Kinai yielded more than the Kyushu region.

4.4. Analysis of Results

Regarding the distribution of bronze mirrors and iron arrowheads, symbols of Yamatai, the Kyushu region shows a significant advantage over the Kinai region in both cases (Table 2 and Table 3 and Figure 3 and Figure 4). In contrast, concerning the distribution of bronze bells, which are not considered to be associated with Yamatai, the Kinai region shows a significant advantage over the Kyushu region (Tabel 4 and Figure 5). Based on the above results, it is highly probable that Yamatai Queendom existed in northern Kyushu.

5. Discussion

5.1. Functional Differentiation Within Yamatai Queendom

As shown in Table 5, GIS visualization reveals that iron arrowheads—interpreted as indicators of military activity—are highly concentrated in the Asakura area, suggesting that this area likely functioned as a major military center. In contrast, the Yoshinogari area, while recognized as a major center of rice production, appears to have had a relatively limited military function.

By contrast, as shown in Figure 6, the Yamato (Kyushu) area (within the blue circle) exhibits a relatively high level of military-related artifacts in relation to its population size, indicating a more substantial military role. This pattern can be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Wei Zhi, which records the existence of a hostile polity, Kuna (Kunakoku), located to the south of Yamatai. If Kuna is identified with the present-day Kumamoto area (present-day Kumamoto Prefecture, within the red circle), the observed distribution of iron arrowheads as weapons provides a coherent and rational explanation for the spatial patterning of military functions within northern Kyushu.

5.2. The Chunqiu Style of Numerical Representation

Hoshino [34] presents an important alternative perspective on the itinerary distances and population figures recorded in the Wei Zhi, diverging from conventional interpretations. According to Hoshino, reports of military victories and diplomatic achievements in early Chinese historiography frequently involved substantial exaggeration. On this basis, he argues that the li (mile) values recorded for the route from the Daifeng to Yamatai should not be interpreted using the standard “long mile” (approximately 434m), but rather using a much shorter unit, the so-called “short mile” (approximately 75m), representing only a fraction of the conventional measure.

Hoshino further contends that the same principle should be applied to the recorded travel durations and household numbers (population estimates), proposing that these figures be interpreted as one-tenth of their stated values (Figure 7). As supporting evidence, he points out that Chen Shou, the compiler of the Wei Zhi, is known to have exaggerated numerical values in reports of military success, often employing figures inflated by an order of magnitude. This historiographical practice is traditionally referred to as the “Spring and Autumn style of writing” (Chunqiu bifa), a convention that has been examined in detail by Sun [35].

When the reinterpretation of distance based on the short mile unit is adopted as a working premise, the inclusion of maritime travel (suiko, waterborne movement) in the itinerary from Fumi through Tsuma to Yamatai can be explained in a logically consistent manner. Archaeological site distributions suggest that, from the Yayoi period to the early Kofun period, the Ariake Sea was considerably more extensive than at present, with substantial portions of the Chikushi Plain existing as shallow marine waters or inner bays (Figure 8). Accordingly, topographic reconstruction based on the 5m DEM indicates a high likelihood that waterborne transportation was in fact required along segments of this route.

Furthermore, simulations conducted using the sea-level transgression modeling function of the 30m DEM provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) [36] suggest that, when contemporaneous sea-level rise and sedimentation processes are taken into account, areas that are presently situated at elevations of approximately 10m may have corresponded to the coastline at the time (Figure 9). This result further supports the plausibility of sustained maritime navigation within the itinerary described in historical sources.

6. Conclusion

Using the high-resolution 5m DEM, developed by the GSI, the density distributions of archaeological artifacts that serve as proxies for population size and military capacity. By introducing a GIS-based quantitative and statistical approach that remains relatively rare in existing scholarship, this research constitutes a pilot study while simultaneously representing an ambitious attempt to expand the horizons of visualization in the study of ancient Japanese history.

The results of the data analysis substantially increase the likelihood that the location of Yamatai was situated in northern Kyushu. Within this region—identified as the most probable candidate for Yamatai—distinctive patterns of land use are evident. The areas surrounding present-day Asakura City and Ogori City appear to have been specialized primarily for military functions, whereas the Yoshinogari Site, one of the largest Yayoi-period sites in Japan, exhibits a pronounced specialization in agriculture, particularly large-scale wet-rice cultivation. The area corresponding to modern Fukuoka City, by contrast, functioned as a major urban center in which both military and agricultural roles were concentrated.

Nevertheless, several limitations of the present study must be acknowledged.

First, although high-precision 5m DEM data were employed, the geographical coordinates of archaeological sites could only be converted at the level of urban blocks, rather than at exact excavation points. As a result, a certain degree of spatial error in the GIS plots was unavoidable.

Second, the artifact datasets used in this study were selected primarily on the basis of accessibility. Consequently, some of the data sources date back more than two decades, and it was not possible to fully incorporate the most recent excavation results.

Finally, due to constraints on human and temporal resources, the scope of analysis was limited to northern Kyushu and the central region of Honshu (the Kinai region).

Despite these limitations, it is hoped that future research will address these constraints through the integration of more comprehensive datasets, higher-resolution spatial information, and broader regional coverage. Such efforts have the potential to facilitate a more accurate reconstruction of ancient Japan and to further advance quantitative and visual approaches in ancient historical research.