Oda Chausuyama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Akaiwa, Japan
Oda Chausuyama Kofun is a burial mound with a keyhole shape, formed by a rectangular front section connected to a circular rear portion. The structure measures roughly 206 meters in length and represents the scale of ancient burial practices in Japan.
This burial mound was built during the latter half of the 5th century as a monument to important figures of its time. It received National Historic Site status, with expanded protections added between 1978 and 2006 to ensure its preservation.
The burial mound's size and shape suggest a connection to important leaders of the Yamato kingdom during the Kofun period. Visitors today can sense the site's significance through how carefully the space was constructed and preserved.
Visitors can access the site, though the central burial chamber remains unexcavated and unexplored to preserve it for future research. This approach allows archaeologists to use more advanced methods when the time comes for investigation.
Archaeological surveys in the early 2000s revealed multiple moat systems surrounding the mound that visitors often overlook. These discoveries show how skilled ancient Japanese engineers were at constructing sophisticated water-based defenses around important burial sites.
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