Kinyakurumazuka Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Sakai City, Japan
Kinyakurumazuka Kofun is a burial mound with a distinctive keyhole shape, consisting of a square front section and a round rear portion. The entire structure spans several hundred meters and displays the typical design of these ancient grave monuments.
The monument was built between the 3rd and 7th centuries and belongs to the Mozu-Furuichi group of burial mounds. This group was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 and ranks among Japan's most important archaeological sites.
The mound represents the power structure of ancient Japan, where only rulers and high-ranking individuals received such elaborate burial monuments. Visitors today can see how central these structures were to funeral customs of the time.
The archaeological site is well-connected by public transportation with several train stations nearby. Wearing sturdy footwear is advisable since the paths traverse the burial mounds and can become slippery in wet conditions.
Excavations at the site have uncovered iron weapons, bronze mirrors, and terracotta haniwa figures that surrounded the tomb. These discoveries provide insight into the daily life and burial customs of ancient elites.
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