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.
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 Chamber
chamberchamber at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — outlier feature
33.4495° N · 129.9693° EIshinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Northern Dromos
dromosdromos at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — outlier feature
33.4497° N · 129.9671° EIshinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Mound Annex 3
moundmound at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — hydraulic feature
33.4481° N · 129.9677° EIshinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — Eastern Chamber
chamberchamber at Ishinohoden Kofun — Karatsu Vaulted Stone Chamber — hydraulic feature
33.4490° N · 129.9666° E