宮崎県立西都原考古博物館

The special historic site of Saitobaru Tomb Area overview

The special historic site of Saitobaru Tomb Area is situated almost in the centre of Miyazaki Prefecture, south of the Hitotsuse River. Located just west of centre of Saito city it consists of the "Saitobaru Plateau", other nearby plateaus and alluvial areas. Covering an area of more than 58ha, it extends 4.2km from north to south and 2.6km from east to west. Constructed from the end of the 3rd century to the 7th century, it contains 319 tombs including the possible Royal Tombs of Osahozuka and Mesahozuka. (Consisting of, 31 keyhole tombs, 2 rectangular tombs, 286 circle mounds). These can be divided into smaller groups of 10-13 categorized by construction age, distribution, etc. Within this area, 'Mound Tomb' types, South Kyushu's special 'Underground Tomb' types and the widely distributed throughout Japan 'Tunnel Tomb' types, all coexist.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.13

Shape: Keyhole
Period: Mid 4th century - Late 4th century AD.
Length: 79.4m

Mound No.13 was constructed during the mid 4th century to the second half of the 4th century AD. It is a keyhole-shaped burial mound having a length of 79.4m.
A bronze mirror, accessories (made of jade, jasper, glass) and swords were discovered by excavation in 1916.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.46

Shape: Keyhole
Period: End 4th century - Early 5th century AD.
Length: 83.6m

Mound No.46 was constructed during the end of 4th century to early 5th century AD.　It is a keyhole-shaped burial mound having a length of 83.6m.
A composite rim jar found by excavation shows similar design characteristics that are in common with the San-in region.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.202 (Himezuka)

Shape: Keyhole
Period: Late 6th century AD.
Length: 57.3m

Mound No.202 was constructed in second half of the 6th century AD.It is a keyhole-shaped burial mound having a length of 57.3m.
Straight swords, Sue ware, many iron arrowheads, accessories such as faceted beads, amber, glass, and gold-plated copperware earrings were discovered.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.206 (Oni No Iwaya Kofun)

Shape: Oval
Period: Late 6th century - Early 7th century AD.
Size: 36.4m by 33.6m

Mound No.206 was constructed during the late 6th century to early 7th century AD.
The oval shaped burial mound has a dimension of 36.4m in the east-west direction and is 33.6m long in the north-south direction.
The burial mound has a 12.4m long stone chamber with a corridor.
Sue ware, haji potteries, earrings, small swords, and iron arrowheads were discovered inside the chamber.

The Dome Of Sakamotonoue Oketsubo Tunnel Tombs

Type: Underground
Period: Early 7th century - Mid 7th century AD.

Sakamotonoue Oketsubo tunnel tombs were built around the first half of the 7th century to the mid 7th century AD.
Grave goods such as, iron arrowheads, small swords, Haji potteries, and Sue ware were discovered.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.100

Shape: Keyhole
Period: Early 4th century - Mid 4th century AD.
Length: 57.4m

Mound No.100 was constructed during the first half of the 4th century to the mid 4th century AD. This mound is a keyhole-shaped burial mound having a length of 57.4m.
Haji potteries, Takatsuki (pedestaled dish) and clay jars with perforations on their bottom were excavated on the burial mound.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.111 / Underground Tomb No.4

No.111
Shape: Circular
Period: Early 6th century AD
Diameter: 29.5m

No.4
Type: Underground
Period: Late 5th century AD.
Length: 5.45m

This burial mound was used for two different tombs from two different periods.
The original tomb was the subterranean tomb No.4, and later tomb No.111 was added on the top of the mound.
Mound No.111 is a round burial mound with 29.5m in diameter. Subterranean burial chamber No.4 was constructed in the latter half of the 5th century and is centrally buried beneath mound No.111.The burial chamber has a length of 5.45m and is the biggest found to date in Southern Kyushu.　Iron armors, swords, arrowheads, a bronze mirror, and glass beads were excavated from the burial chamber.Mound No.111 has another shallow burial on the top of the mound that is believed to have been constructed in the early part of 6th century AD.

Osaho Zuka And Mesaho Zuka (Considered As The Imperial Graveyard)

Mesaho Zuka
Shape: Keyhole
Period: Early 5th century AD.
Length: 176.3m


Osaho zuka
Shape: Scallop
Period: Early 5th century AD.
Length: 176m

Osaho Zuka and Mesaho Zuka, have a length of 176m and 176.3m respectively, they are considered to be the ruler's tombs in South Kyushu region in the early 5th century AD.
Osaho-zuka is a scallop shaped tomb and is the largest example of this burial mound design in all of Japan. Mesaho-zuka is a keyhole-shaped burial mound and is the largest in the Kyushu region.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.169

Shape: Circular
Period: Early 5th century AD.
Diameter: 49m

Mound No.169 was constructed in the early 5th century AD. It is a round burial mound with a diameter of 49m.
A bronze mirror, swords, small swords, a bronze bracelet and cylindrical clay haniwa and Keisyo haniwa in the designs of houses, jars, sunshades, armor shields, boats, cuirass, and military helmets were discovered by excavation in 1912~1913.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.170

Shape: Circular
Period: Early 5th century AD.
Length: 47m

Mound No.170 was constructed in the early 5th century AD. It is a round burial mound with a diameter of 47m.
Armor made of iron, swords, arrowheads, and various clay haniwa were discovered by excavation in 1912~1913.
Komochi-iegata haniwa (house-shaped haniwa) and Funegata haniwa (boat-shaped haniwa) have been designated as important national cultural properties.

Saitobaru Burial Mound No.171

Shape: Square
Period: Early 5th century AD.
Length: 20.8m

Mound No.171 was constructed in the early 5th century AD. This mound is a square tumulus with a side length of 20.8m.
This mound is regarded as a Baicyo (satellite burial mound) to Mesaho-zuka.
Cylindrical clay haniwa, Jar-shaped haniwa and Keisyo haniwa representing houses, sunshades, armor shields, and cuirass were discovered at the mound.

Miyazaki Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum

The Saitobaru Archaeological Museum, in Miyazaki Prefecture, was opened as a field museum of archeology in April 2004. The museum, always has new exhibits providing the latest information, and being available to the public with a friendly "Universal Design" it enables all visitors to learn pro-actively .

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