An archaeologist who has admitted planting artifacts to fake their discovery is believed to have taken finds from other sites without reporting the finds, sources said Wednesday.
Shinichi Fujimura, former deputy director of the Tohoku Paleolithic Institute, stunned archaeological experts Sunday by acknowledging he had fabricated the discovery of Japan's oldest earthenware at the Kamitakamori ruins in Tsukidate, Miyagi Prefecture, in late October.
It was highly likely Fujimura took artifacts dug up at other sites home without reporting them to police, as required by the Cultural Asset Protection Law, sources said.
The law stipulates that archaeological finds must be reported to police by the organizers of the dig.
While there are no penalties for violating the law, observers said such a revelation would deal another blow to Fujimura's already tarnished reputation.
In admitting to the fabrication Sunday, Fujimura told reporters the stoneware planted at Kamitakamori and the Soshinfudozaka ruins in Hokkaido was dug up from other sites and had been part of his personal collection.
Some sources said Fujimura would take home artifacts that he had dug up on his own.
Experts said that while it was very tempting to take the artifacts home, it is considered taboo as they are public property.