鳥羽山洞窟 | |
 Tobayama Cave | |
  Tobayama Cave Show map of Nagano Prefecture Tobayama Cave (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Ueda, Nagano,Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Chūbu region |
| Coordinates | 36°17′54″N138°15′29″E / 36.29833°N 138.25806°E /36.29833; 138.25806 |
| Type | grave |
| History | |
| Periods | Kofun period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | None |
TheTobayama Cave (鳥羽山洞窟,Tobayama dōkutsu) is anarchaeological site consisting of acave dwelling and cave tomb in use from the lateJōmon, through theYayoi and earlyKofun periods, located in the Koshigoe neighborhood of the city ofUeda, Nagano in theChūbu region ofJapan. The site was designated aNational Historic Site of Japan in 1978.[1]
Tobayama Cave is located in the foothills of Mount Toba, approximately 15 meters from theChikuma River, near its confluence with the Yoda River. The cave is a natural formation with an entrance height of 25 meters and a depth of only 15 meters.Archaeological excavations were initially centered on theKofun period (approximately 5th century AD) relics which were found within the cave, which included a paved floor of cobblestones from the Yoda River. The cave was used as a tomb, presumably by local clans who did not buildkofun tumuli. Human remains were found in three strata from this period, including one strata where multiple remains consisted all of crushed bones. Similar graves have been found in Southeast Asia and inOkinawa, but are very rare onHonshu in mainland Japan.Grave goods included numerous iron weapons, horse fittings, whetstones, copper bracelets andSue ware pottery. Beneath this strata were relics from the Jōmon andYayoi periods, indicating that this cave had been inhabited for several centuries prior to its use as a tomb as a cave dwelling.[2]
The excavated relics are on permanent display at theUeda City Maruko Cultural Museum (上田市立丸子郷土博物館,Ueda shiritsu Maruko Gyōdo Hakubutsukan). The cave is located a 20-minute walk from the "Shimooki" bus stop on the Chikuma Buss fromUeda Station however, there is no public access.[2]