Howe Buried Settlement
Late Bronze Age (1550–1050 BCE)·Late Bronze Age·🇯🇵 Iwate Prefecture, Japan
About
About Howe Buried Settlement
Howe Buried Settlement in Iwate Prefecture, Japan is a Late Bronze Age (1550–1050 BCE) buried city attributed to Late Bronze Age culture. Systematically investigated through ground-penetrating radar and coring, it presents a principal enclosure with hydraulic works. Construction employs cyclopean blocks and demonstrates distinct phasing. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Late Bronze Age buried-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function as ceremonial vs domestic centre
- 02Astronomical alignment and orientation
Theories
- 01Centralized storage and redistribution (Cunliffe)
- 02Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1443 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze Age (1550–1050 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Defensive and administrative
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1443 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 965 BCE
Architectural refurbishment
c. 256 CE
Reoccupation and adaptation
1944
Rediscovery and systematic excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
40.9924° N · 142.2255° E · 2038 m · 3 mapped features
Shrine
ditchOutlier feature with alignments
40.9907° N · 142.2260° EEnclosure Wall
gatewayPrimary buried city at Howe Buried Settlement — ceremonial avenue
40.9936° N · 142.2267° EReservoir/Cistern
rock artPrimary buried city at Howe Buried Settlement — rock-cut facade
40.9897° N · 142.2263° E