Komae Kofun Cluster, Ancient burial mounds in Komae, Japan.
The Komae Kofun Cluster is a collection of 13 preserved ancient burial mounds in the urban area of Komae, consisting of 12 circular mounds and one scallop-shell-shaped tomb. The mounds vary in size and construction style, reflecting different periods of use and the status of those buried within them.
These mounds were built during the 5th and 6th centuries as burial places for regional leaders and influential families. Archaeological work beginning in 1951 revealed the construction methods and the importance this area held during that era.
The burial mounds reflect connections to broader Asian trade networks through artifacts like Sue pottery and bronze mirrors that were interred with regional leaders. These objects show how important people in this area maintained contact with distant cultures and valued foreign goods.
Several mounds are accessible to visitors for exploration, though some have restricted access due to preservation measures. Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended when walking across the grounds, as the layout is spread across a residential neighborhood.
The site originally held around 70 burial mounds, earning it the local name 'Komae Hyakutsuka' meaning 'hundred mounds of Komae'. Most of these have disappeared over time as the city expanded and changed around them.
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