Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display
Kofun (5th–7th c. CE)·Kii regional Kofun·🇯🇵 Kansai, Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama City, Iwaseoaka, Senzuka park, Japan
About
About Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display
Wakayama ridge 850 tombs excavated 1900s–now, rock-cut horizon tombs unique in Kansai.
Why it mattersKey Kii regional Kofun tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network extent
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 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. 500–600 CE cluster
- Period
- Kofun (5th–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Kii regional Kofun
- Purpose
- 850 kofun cluster (largest dense Kii group) with rock-cut cliff-type and mound-type side-by-side
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1900
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display
1920 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display
c. 500–600 CE cluster
Initial construction / first occupation at Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display
On the ground
Structures & features
34.2450° N · 135.1790° E · 55 m · 3 mapped features
Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — Principal Chamber
chamberchamber at Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — hydraulic feature
34.2434° N · 135.1788° EIwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — Northern Dromos
dromosdromos at Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — outlier feature
34.2437° N · 135.1784° EIwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — Mound Annex 3
moundmound at Iwase Senzuka — Cliff Kofun Cluster with Open Air Display — outlier feature
34.2465° N · 135.1798° E