Iron Artifact Unearthed in Fukui May Be Japan’s Oldest Saw

Archaeologists in Fukui have uncovered an iron tool that may be a saw. Preliminary analysis suggests the artifact could be the oldest of its kind in Japan. The find dates to a period earlier than previously known metal saws. Researchers are examining the object's shape and manufacturing marks. The discovery could reshape understandings of early Japanese metalworking. Scholars plan further testing to confirm the artifact’s function. The site where the tool was found is being protected for additional study. The potential identification adds a new chapter to Japan’s technological history.