原山支石墓群, Archaeological burial site in Uto, Japan
The Harayama Megalithic Tombs are a burial complex with multiple stone chambers scattered across elevated ground in Uto. The structures vary in size and configuration, indicating they served different types of burials from around 2000 years ago.
The site originates from the Yayoi period, a time of significant change in Japan when new technologies and social structures emerged. These tombs document the shift toward more organized and hierarchical communities.
The tombs show how ancient people honored their dead and what objects they placed in the graves for the afterlife. The differences in tomb size suggest that some individuals held more important positions in their communities.
The site is accessible on foot with marked trails connecting the different tomb groups. Informational panels throughout the area explain the excavations and findings so you can explore independently.
All the stones come from the immediate area and were arranged in geometric patterns that respond to the natural landscape. This deliberate placement shows that builders consciously integrated the terrain into their design.
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