Akasakaimai Tumuli, Ancient burial site in Mineyama, Japan
Akasakaimai Tumuli is an archaeological site featuring a large burial mound perched on a hilltop overlooking a narrow valley that leads toward the sea. The site contains a total of 25 burial facilities spread across the summit and base areas.
This burial site was constructed in the early 3rd century during the late Yayoi period, marking an important phase in the region's development. Its construction reflects the social hierarchy and prosperity of the surrounding population at that time.
This burial site served as a hub for distant trade routes, evident from glass beads, jade ornaments, and pottery brought from mainland Asia. The presence of these goods shows how connected this remote region was to broader commercial networks of its time.
The burial mound sits on a hillside with open views of the surrounding landscape and is relatively easy to reach from nearby paths. When visiting, it is best to come during drier seasons when the ground is more accessible for walking around the site.
The central burial chamber is remarkably large and ranks among the biggest structures of its kind from this period in Japan. This suggests the person interred there held exceptional importance or the highest rank in the community.
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