Basho-zuka Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Joyo, Japan
Basho-zuka Kofun is a burial mound shaped like a keyhole when viewed from above, with a square front portion connected to a circular rear section. Visitors can walk around the site and observe the elevation changes and overall layout that define this ancient monument.
This burial mound was built during the Kofun period between the 3rd and 7th centuries, when such structures served as tombs for members of the ruling class. The size and design suggest that the person buried here held significant social status.
The terracotta figures placed around this burial mound reveal how people once created sacred boundaries and showed respect for the deceased. These figurines offer a window into the religious beliefs and social order of their era.
The site is accessible on foot with pathways leading around and across the mound for clear views of its structure. Information panels are placed at different points to help you understand the construction and purpose of the monument.
Research suggests that the mound's alignment may correspond with celestial positions, hinting that builders possessed advanced knowledge of the heavens. This astronomical consideration in tomb planning reveals how carefully ancient people tracked the sky.
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