Azuma Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Azuma Kofun is a prehistoric burial mound in Gunma featuring a distinctive keyhole shape formed by a circular section joined to a rectangular platform. The entire structure spans several hundred meters, demonstrating the careful engineering and planning of its builders.
This monument dates to the 5th century, when regional leaders throughout Japan constructed massive burial structures as displays of power. The Kofun period shaped burial customs and architectural practices across the Japanese islands.
The clay figures discovered here reveal how people of the Kofun period conducted burial rituals with specific symbolic purposes. These earthenware pieces served as protective markers and represented the beliefs of the time about the afterlife.
The site is accessible via marked pathways that guide visitors through the archaeological area. Information panels positioned along the routes provide details about the structure and its historical significance.
Excavations have uncovered compelling evidence of the construction methods and organizational skills of the ancient builders. The findings suggest that completing this structure required coordinated effort from many workers over an extended period.
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