The barrows of kofun epoch in Japan: the constructive specifics

The Kofun epoch (3-7 centuries AD) is characterized by the formation of single burial system of barrows-“kofuns” in Japan (excepting the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa). This system includes twelve major types, distinct in the external structure of the mound. Four types of the twelve, especially the “round-square ” (or so-called “mounds in the form of keyhole ”), “square-square ”, “round ” and “square ” had been the most widespread. The largest barrows, with the mounds over 200 m in length and determined as burials of general authorities Yamato representatives, were built with square-round shape only. The maximum size of square-square barrows does not exceed 180 m, area of their distribution was limited by Izumo region by the end of the Kofun epoch. Round barrows spread throughout Japan and are the largest group. They have been constructed during all the Kofun time. The square barrows had appeared in the Middle period and taken the place of square-round barrows by the end of Kofun epoch. Other types of barrows received less common, some of them (for example, such as “twin round ”, “twin square ” and “twin square with a square central part ”) are unique, but it is not always possible to determine the shape of the barrows before excavation. People had built the barrows “round on top and square in lower part” as well as “barrows in the shape of a hexagon ” and “barrows in the shape of an octagon ” in the later period of the Kofun epoch and Asuka period. Form of barrow mound depended on the social status of the deceased, the region and the political situation by the time of the barrow construction.