Shingu Burial Mound (Historic site designated by the city)

This ancient tomb is located at an altitude of 25m on the gentle slope at the southern foot of Mt. Iwataki in Funakoshi Town. It is a circular tomb with a horizontal stone chamber, the floor of which is paved with slabs of stone, and a blocking stone (heisokuseki) that was used to cover the entrance after the body was placed there is still remaining. Inside the stone chamber, there is a narrow section that clearly separates the burial chamber from the antechamber, and since it is narrow on both sides, it is called a "double-sleeved" type. In addition, the side walls jut out inwards as they approach the ceiling, and the width of the ceiling is narrower than the floor, making it a "corrugated" style, which suggests that this is a relatively old style stone chamber. Many grave goods were excavated, including sueki bowls, silver earrings, and jade and crystal beads used for necklaces. Based on these characteristics, this ancient tomb is thought to date to the mid-6th century. Currently, there is a large flat land in front of the tumulus, but at the time, the shallow sea was close by and it is said that the land was not suitable for rice cultivation. Why was a tumulus with such fine grave goods built on such land? It may be because the tumulus was built on land where influential people built up economic power not only through rice cultivation but also through fishing and salt production. Location: Funakoshi 4-chome, Aki-ku, Hiroshima City Date of designation: March 24, 1983