Two tumulus clusters are located in western Japan and are an example of an ancient burial system that reflects the hierarchy of society at the time. There are 49 mounds in total in Mozu-Furuichi cluster. They vary in size and shape and are believed to date back to the late fourth and late fifth centuries.
A part of the Mozu cluster is a 486 meters long Emperor Nintoku's mausoleum, also known as Daisen Kofun. It is the largest in Japan keyhole-shaped mound. The mausoleum belongs to the three largest mounded tombs in the world, two other being the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. While the mound was named after Emperor Nintoku, the ruler of the country during the fourth century, some experts doubt that it is the actual gravesite of the Emperor.
Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus Clusters became the 23th world heritage site in Japan. Totally the country now features 19 cultural and four natural sites recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage.
Photo: wow-j.com
UNESCO Adds Ancient Japanese Tombs to World Heritage List
News in Asia
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee added Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus Clusters, a group of ancient burial mounds in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan to the World Heritage list during their meeting in Azerbaijan's capital Baku last week.