A new perspective on the evolution of “Kawara” roof tiles in Ryukyu: A multidisciplinary non-destructive analysis of roof tile transition at Shuri Castle, Ryukyu Islands, Japan

A groundbreaking study reveals that the evolution of Ryukyuan 'Kawara' roof tiles, unique to Shuri Castle and other sites in the Ryukyu Islands, involved both changing and unchanged internal features over centuries. Despite external variations in form, pattern, and color—shifting from diverse origins in the 13th–15th centuries to a standardized red tone by the 16th–19th centuries—the elemental composition and paste density of these tiles remained consistent. This suggests that different material properties responded variably to social and environmental stressors, challenging traditional archaeological narratives that focus solely on external changes. The research employed non-destructive, multidisciplinary techniques—including quantitative analysis—to track transitions in firing conditions and surface color, offering a novel framework for studying the chronological evolution of material culture.

Aoyama, H., Yamagiwa, K., Taira, W., & Kon, T. (2022). A new perspective on the evolution of “Kawara” roof tiles in Ryukyu: A multidisciplinary non-destructive analysis of roof tile transition at Shuri Castle, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Plos One, 17(11), e0277560. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277560