Kushiyama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Tenri, Japan
The Kushiyama Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound surrounded by moats that rises distinctly from the landscape of Nara Prefecture. Its carefully constructed earthen embankments form a recognizable profile visible from various angles.
This burial mound dates from the 5th century, a period when tumuli construction reflected emerging social divisions in Japanese society. The structure was built between roughly 300 and 700 CE, marking an important phase in the region's development.
The burial mound displays clay figurines placed around its perimeter following burial customs of the Kofun period. These objects reveal how communities marked the graves of their most important members.
The site sits within a cluster of burial mounds connected by walkways for viewing multiple structures. Wear comfortable shoes as the terrain is uneven and can be marshy in places.
The mound was built using a layering technique that combined sandy and cohesive soils in a way that kept the structure intact for over 1500 years. This engineering approach was surprisingly advanced for its time and rarely seen elsewhere.
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