Red-painted skull unearthed in 5th-century Shiga tomb
- Jul 2, 2010
- 2 min read
OTSU (Kyodo)–A red-painted human skull has been found inside a stone coffin excavated from a fifth-century tomb in Otsu, a local conservation association said.
The box-shaped coffin, which was found almost perfectly preserved in a tomb from the early fifth century, was discovered during construction on a mountain overlooking Lake Biwa.
Judging from the location, researchers believe the tomb belonged to an influential figure involved in transportation on the lake, the Shiga Prefectural Association for Cultural Heritage said.
The cranium belonged to a man aged 20 to 40 estimated to be about 155 centimeters tall, slightly shorter than the average 160 centimeters at the time, according to the association.
The coffin measured 158 centimeters in length, 24 centimeters at the time, according to the association.
The skull and the interior of the coffin were painted with what is believed to be either vermilion or colcothar, both of which were used in rituals to ward off evil.
Source: Daily Yomiuri Jun 29, 2010
***
29th June, 2010 OTSU —A cranium painted in red has been found inside a stone coffin excavated from a fifth century tomb in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, a local conservation association said Monday. The box-shaped coffin, which was found in an almost perfect state in a tomb dating back to the first half of the fifth century, was accidentally discovered during construction work on a mountain overlooking Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Judging from the location, researchers believe the tomb belonged to an influential figure involved in transportation around the lake, the Shiga Prefectural Association for Cultural Heritage said. The cranium with its lower jaw missing belonged to a man aged between 20 and 40. His height was estimated to be around 155 centimeters, slightly shorter than the average of 160 cm at the time, according to the association. The man was likely buried with his body stretched inside the coffin, with the space inside measuring 158 cm in length, 24 to 36 cm in width and 30 cm in height.
See also recent Japan Times story: Lasers used to map giant burial mounds in 3D
Comments