Funazuka Burial Mound in Ikaruga, Japan

In a corner of the parking lot outside Hōryū-ji Temple, the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world, there is a small mound most visitors are likely to disregard. But not giving it a look would be a shame, since it too happens to be a piece of ancient Japan. Japan is home to thousands of tumuli or burial mounds, and Nara Prefecture is no stranger to these ancient tombs. Funazuka, or the “Boat Mound,” had long been purported to be the site where the remains of an ancient wooden boat was unearthed, but for a long time remained an unassuming heap of dirt with a shrubbery on it. Its status as an actual tumulus was not even confirmed until 2023, following a number of excavations that started in 2019. An archaeological dig done by the University of Nara in 2022 revealed a burial chamber in which lay a pair of swords, amber jewelry, and pottery ware. Part of the walls showed signs of looting in the 7th century, as if someone had stolen portions of stonework to reuse them in newer construction projects. Though there are mysteries yet to be solved, the tentative dating seems to suggest that its looting might have had some relations to the construction of Hōryū-ji. Who knows what more history hides beneath this ancient town of Ikaruga?

Mar 17, 2025 - 19:11

An ancient tumulus in a parking lot.

In a corner of the parking lot outside Hōryū-ji Temple, the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world, there is a small mound most visitors are likely to disregard. But not giving it a look would be a shame, since it too happens to be a piece of ancient Japan.

Japan is home to thousands of tumuli or burial mounds, and Nara Prefecture is no stranger to these ancient tombs. Funazuka, or the “Boat Mound,” had long been purported to be the site where the remains of an ancient wooden boat was unearthed, but for a long time remained an unassuming heap of dirt with a shrubbery on it. Its status as an actual tumulus was not even confirmed until 2023, following a number of excavations that started in 2019.

An archaeological dig done by the University of Nara in 2022 revealed a burial chamber in which lay a pair of swords, amber jewelry, and pottery ware. Part of the walls showed signs of looting in the 7th century, as if someone had stolen portions of stonework to reuse them in newer construction projects.

Though there are mysteries yet to be solved, the tentative dating seems to suggest that its looting might have had some relations to the construction of Hōryū-ji. Who knows what more history hides beneath this ancient town of Ikaruga?