Oldest 'calendar' unearthed from Ishigami ruins in Nara Pref.

OSAKA, Japan - A two-sided circular wooden plate (photo), believed to be the oldest ''calendar'' yet discovered in Japan, has been unearthed from the ruins of Asuka village in Nara Prefecture, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties of Nara said on Feb. 26. The dates March 8-14 in 689 are written on the front (R) and April 13-19 on the back (L).