A wooden coffin, excavated from the Tomio Maruyama burial mound in Nara, was unveiled to the media on February 6th. The coffin, in an exceptional state of preservation, dates back to the late fourth century.
The cylindrical coffin was discovered in 2022 during the excavation of a protruding section of the Tomio Maruyama Tumulus, one of Japan's largest round burial mounds. It was found beneath a shield-shaped bronze mirror and a massive serpentine sword, the largest iron sword discovered in East Asia.
The coffin, known as a "split bamboo style coffin," was crafted from a hollowed-out Japanese umbrella pine log. It measures over 5.3 meters in length and 64 to 70 centimeters in diameter. It was placed in a rectangular pit dug into the burial mound, with clay blocks and clay encasing it.
Around one-third of the coffin's lid and a rope-holding protrusion remain, indicating its use during transport. End caps were also found inside the coffin, used for sealing its ends. Wooden coffins typically decay over time, making the preservation of such a large portion after approximately 1,600 years a remarkable discovery.
The Nara City Board of Education plans to investigate the coffin's interior further. Metal detector readings suggest the presence of iron-made grave items, such as weapons or agricultural tools. The results of the investigation are expected to be announced around mid-March.