Atagoyama Kofun, Archaeological burial mound in Gyoda, Japan.
Atagoyama Kofun is a burial mound with a distinctive keyhole shape, comprising a rectangular raised area and a circular mounded section. The structure is encircled by a double moat and sits within the Sakitama archaeological park alongside other similar mounds.
This mound was constructed in the 6th century and belongs to a cluster of burial sites called Sakitama Kofun. It received designation as a National Historic Site in 1938.
The haniwa clay figures discovered here depict everyday objects and creatures from that period. These figurines conveyed ideas about the afterlife to the people who placed them around the burial site.
You can reach the site through the parking area of Sakitama Kofun archaeological park. The location is easy to explore on foot and sits adjacent to the larger Futagoyama Kofun mound.
The burial chamber inside has never been archaeologically opened due to concerns that the structure might collapse. This unexplored chamber keeps the mound mysterious and valuable for future research.
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