About
About Grey Mine
Grey Mine in Oruro, Bolivia is a Yayoi (300 BCE–300 CE) quarry attributed to Yayoi culture. Systematically investigated through ground-penetrating radar and fieldwalking, it presents a fortified nucleus with workshop zone. Construction employs cyclopean blocks and demonstrates long-distance exchange. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Yayoi quarry with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization and logistics
- 02Population scale vs catchment
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
- 02Elite residence and administrative centre
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. 288 BCE
- Period
- Yayoi (300 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Yayoi
- Purpose
- Necropolis and ritual
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 288 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 361 BCE
Secondary construction phase
c. 416 CE
Abandonment and gradual burial
1937
Archaeological identification via aerial survey
On the ground
Structures & features
18.5275° S · 69.8412° W · 1221 m · 3 mapped features
Stela Alignment
gatewayAncillary settlement associated with main monument
18.5288° S · 69.8411° WAncillary Complex
enclosureOutlier feature with alignments
18.5260° S · 69.8438° WTemple Platform
alignmentBurial zone — tumuli
18.5274° S · 69.8414° W