NARA, Mar 16 (News On Japan) –
The Tomioka Maruyama Kofun in Nara City, which gained important consideration with the invention of East Asia’s largest serpentine sword and a novel shield-shaped bronze mirror, dubbed a “national treasure-level discovery,” holds one other secret.
Beneath the serpentine sword and bronze mirror, an untouched coffin was buried. In late 2023, Nara City initiated an excavation of the coffin, with quite a few archaeology college students taking part within the dig. Who was buried on this coffin? We delved into this problem to unravel the mysteries of Japan’s historical historical past.
The discovery was not a straightforward journey; it required meticulous work on the excavation website. The aim was to make clear Japan’s historical past from 1600 years in the past, by finding out the soil and what lies beneath. The query loomed: who was buried on this tomb?
The Tomioka Maruyama Kofun, a round tomb about 100 meters in diameter, is taken into account one of many largest of its form in Japan. It is believed to have been the burial website of an individual of excessive standing, however the tomb at its summit was destroyed, leaving the identification of the occupant unknown. However, final yr’s excavation revealed not solely the serpentine sword and the shield-shaped bronze mirror but additionally a coffin untouched by time, promising to be a big clue in fixing the thriller of the tomb.
The discovery of the coffin marked the start of a difficult endeavor to light up a big interval in Japan’s historical historical past. The excavation, which entails going through the earth and cautious digging, is predicted to be a examine that can go away an enduring affect on the sector of archaeology.
As the excavation progressed, the staff uncovered three black, round plates resembling dishes, stacked one on high of one other, on the foot of the coffin. Digging additional, they discovered a 3rd plate, an identical to the primary two, suggesting the presence of a set of three mirrors, every about 20 centimeters in diameter. Additionally, 9 lacquered skewers, every 14 centimeters lengthy, had been discovered, indicating that no weapons had been buried with the occupant, suggesting a potential ceremonial or non secular significance.
According to the excavation director, the serpentine sword and the vertical bronze mirror discovered final yr had been doubtless belongings of a male buried on the high of the tomb, whereas the mirrors discovered within the coffin may belong to a feminine, presumably a sister or relative of the person. This results in hypothesis that the occupant of the coffin may need been a feminine shaman or a priestess, just like the position of Himeko in historical Japan, who communicated with the gods.
The investigation into the coffin’s contents is ongoing, with additional evaluation of the soil and scientific examination deliberate to find out the identification of the particular person buried. The examination of the wooden used within the coffin can also present a extra correct estimate of when it was constructed.
As the scholars proceed their excavation, they don’t seem to be solely uncovering artifacts but additionally gaining beneficial expertise and insights into historical Japanese tradition and historical past.
Source: YOMIURI