InsideJapan News Network
Monday,
1st
June
2009
In General Japan News,
In General Japan News,
Research team discover possible resting place of Queen Himiko
Archaeologists in Japan have unearthed what they believe to be the tomb of the famous Queen Himiko, the third-century ruler of the Yamatai Kingdom.
The 280-metre long keyhole-shaped burial mound located near Nara was initially thought to be a more recent site, but new radiocarbon dating technology has dated the construction between AD 240 and 260, with Himiko's death falling around 250.
This latest discovery is likely to fuel the ongoing debate over the historical location of the ancient Yamatai Kingdom.
According to the Telegraph, further investigation of the tomb may be prohibited by the Imperial Household Agency.
Professor Hideji Harunari of the National Museum of Japanese History said: "It is impossible to get permission because the agency says that our present emperor is descended from Queen Himiko. But I still believe the evidence fits and this is her tomb."
The location of the Yamatai Kingdom and the possibly shamanistic Queen Himiko remains a significant historical mystery in Japan, despite the descriptions provided in the ancient Chinese history text Wei Zhi.
Written by Mark Smith
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The 280-metre long keyhole-shaped burial mound located near Nara was initially thought to be a more recent site, but new radiocarbon dating technology has dated the construction between AD 240 and 260, with Himiko's death falling around 250.
This latest discovery is likely to fuel the ongoing debate over the historical location of the ancient Yamatai Kingdom.
According to the Telegraph, further investigation of the tomb may be prohibited by the Imperial Household Agency.
Professor Hideji Harunari of the National Museum of Japanese History said: "It is impossible to get permission because the agency says that our present emperor is descended from Queen Himiko. But I still believe the evidence fits and this is her tomb."
The location of the Yamatai Kingdom and the possibly shamanistic Queen Himiko remains a significant historical mystery in Japan, despite the descriptions provided in the ancient Chinese history text Wei Zhi.
Written by Mark Smith
Related news stories:
Dion to sing OST to Japanese movie (29th August 2008)
'Tomb of Queen Himiko' discovered (27th August 2008)
Tokyo research unit established by Nestle (20th May 2009)
Anglo-Japanese textile exhibition comes to Kyoto (16th September 2011)
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