Ryūgakuji Kofun Cluster, Ancient burial mound cluster in Narita, Japan
The Ryūgakuji Kofun Cluster is a collection of 114 burial mounds spread across a plateau in the Kantō region. These earthen structures display diverse shapes ranging from domed to square to distinctive keyhole forms.
These burial mounds were built between the late 6th and 7th centuries on the Shimōsa Plateau. They reveal how people of that era honored their dead and what social organizations existed in the region.
The surrounding landscape reflects how these burial grounds were chosen for their elevated, open positions. Local people historically viewed these mounds as sacred markers that shaped settlement patterns and land use in the region.
The grounds can be explored on foot with paths connecting the various mounds across the plateau. Plan for a leisurely walk since the burial mounds are scattered over a substantial area.
The Iwaya Kofun stands apart with its three-tiered step pyramid structure that contrasts with other mounds in the cluster. Its distinctive construction reveals burial practices and social distinctions of that time.
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