Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Sakurai, Japan.
Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound combining a circular section with a rectangular one in a symmetrical design. The two distinct parts created a recognizable form visible from above, characteristic of tombs built during that period.
This burial mound was built in the 3rd century, when Japanese society began to organize differently and developed new ways to honor the dead. Such structures marked a shift in how power and status were expressed through funeral practices.
This burial mound was built at a location considered sacred, where the community gathered to honor their dead. The size and design reveal how much respect the buried person commanded during early times.
The site is located in Sakurai and can be reached on foot, though it helps to know the exact location beforehand. The area is open to visitors but offers minimal facilities or guided exploration options.
Excavations at the site uncovered bronze mirrors, iron weapons, and pottery vessels that reveal the burial of a high-ranking individual. These discoveries offer clues about trade networks and technological skills of that early period.
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