Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan)
Kitora Mural N
Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)·Hallstatt / Early Iron Age·🇯🇵 Nara, Asuka, Kitora, Japan
About
About Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan)
Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan) in Nara, Asuka, Kitora, Japan is a Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE) tumulus attributed to Hallstatt / Early Iron Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal necropolis and domestic quarter. Dimensions mound 22 m diameter × 6 m high; ditch 2 m deep; area 2.5 ha. Excavation unexcavated; condition partially preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Hallstatt / Early Iron Age tumulus with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 140 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to regional network
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
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. 1500–1200 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)
- Culture
- Hallstatt / Early Iron Age
- Builders
- Hallstatt
- Purpose
- Elite burial and ritual mound
- Rediscovered
- 1882
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 1500–1200 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 803 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1901
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
34.4500° N · 135.8000° E · 140 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan) — structure with stratified deposits
34.4524° N · 135.7982° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan) — complex with stratified deposits
34.4519° N · 135.7987° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Kitora Tumulus — Buried Mural North (Asuka, Japan) — outlier with stratified deposits
34.4505° N · 135.8023° E