Danotsuka Kofun, Square burial mound in Sanmu, Japan
Danotsuka Kofun is a square-shaped earthen mound in Sanmu built as a burial structure during ancient Japan. The mound features a flat top and sloping sides, a characteristic design of these early funeral monuments.
This mound was built between the 3rd and 7th centuries, a time when such structures honored important people in Japan. The construction methods show how burial architecture evolved during this era.
Excavations at this site uncovered clay figurines called haniwa that once stood around the mound during burial ceremonies. These figures show what people valued and how they honored their dead during this ancient period.
The site is easy to reach and remains open year-round for visitors wanting to see this ancient structure. It is best visited during clear weather when you can see the mound's shape and form more clearly.
Many burial mounds in this region share the same square shape, making Sanmu an area with exceptional density of these structures. This concentration suggests it was an important center for people of high status.
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