野原古墳群, Ancient burial mounds in Kumagaya, Japan
The Nohara Kofun cluster is a collection of ancient burial mounds located on the western hills of the Nohara district. Archaeological work at the site uncovered various stone, jade, and metal items from the 3rd through 6th centuries.
The burial mounds were built during a period when powerful families constructed massive earthen structures to entomb their deceased. This practice spanned several centuries, with each era introducing different burial goods and construction approaches.
The burial mounds reflect how ancient communities honored their deceased through deliberate construction and placement on the landscape. The size and arrangement of each mound tells a story about the social standing of those buried beneath, visible to anyone walking through the site.
The site is accessible during daylight hours and comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you traverse the hills and take in the views. Plan to spend enough time exploring multiple mounds to understand how they were arranged and built over the landscape.
Among the findings were beads crafted from rare stones such as agate, jade, and quartz, revealing the remarkable skill of ancient craftspeople. These precious items were brought from distant locations, suggesting trade connections that reached across considerable distances.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
