Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber
Late Kofun (6th c. CE)·Yamato influenced Hizen·🇯🇵 Kyushu, Saga Prefecture, Karatsu, Hizen, Ishinohoden exposure, Japan
About
About Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber
Karatsu megalithic chamber exposed by erosion, excavated 1900, late Kofun island type. Recorded context — Period: Late Kofun (6th c. CE); Culture: Yamato influenced Hizen; Field status: excavated; Materials: granite, sandstone; Condition: exposed — eroded mound.
Why it mattersKey Yamato influenced Hizen tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Construction labor organization
Theories
- 01Observatory
- 02Elite residence
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. 550 CE
- Period
- Late Kofun (6th c. CE)
- Culture
- Yamato influenced Hizen
- Purpose
- Exposed lateral stone chamber (8 m) with vaulted roof — eroded kofun revealing megalithic interior
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1859
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 550 CE
Initial construction / first occupation at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber
1920 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber
On the ground
Structures & features
33.4480° N · 129.9680° E · 42 m · 4 mapped features
- Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Principal Chamberchamberchamber at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — outlier feature33.4495° N · 129.9693° E
- Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Northern Dromosdromosdromos at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — outlier feature33.4497° N · 129.9671° E
- Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Mound Annex 3moundmound at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — hydraulic feature33.4481° N · 129.9677° E
- Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Eastern Chamberchamberchamber at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — hydraulic feature33.4490° N · 129.9666° E
Gallery