3rd century structure unearthed in Nara Pref.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

NARA--The remains of a large early-to- mid-third century structure have been unearthed at the Makimuku ruins in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, the local municipal board of education announced Tuesday.

The Makimuku ruins may have stood in Yamataikoku, an ancient country led by the female ruler Himiko that some experts believe was located in what is now the Kinki region. Others think it was part of what is now the Kyushu region.

The recently discovered remains stretch 19.2 meters from north to south at their largest point, and at least 6.2 meters from east to west.

The discovery is significant to the history of Japan's formation as a country--according to the Sakurai Municipal Board of Education, the remains are an early example of a royal palace. Based on their age and location, some researchers speculate they may have been the center of Yamataikoku and Himiko's palace.

The board's researchers discovered pillar holes in the ground while conducting a search east of a group of remains unearthed by March. Considering the structure's balance and the shapes of the holes, the board believes the dimensions of the structure were 19.2 meters from south to north and 12.4 meters from east to west. Each pillar is about 32 centimeters in diameter. It is likely the structure had an elevated floor.

The excavated site is located in a hilly development area. At least four structures, including the most recently discovered one, were found to have been built in a line from a central axis, indicating careful planning.

Dating back to the third or fourth century, the Makimuku ruins are one of the nation's largest settlement ruins. Earthenware items produced in various regions from Kanto to Kyushu have been unearthed there.

The ruins also are the site of the oldest keyhole-shaped Japanese tomb, Hashihaka tomb, which is believed to have been Himiko's, and may have been the birthplace of the Yamato Kingdom.

Taichiro Shiraishi, director of the Osaka Prefectural Chikatsuasuka Museum, said the excavated remains of the large structure may have been the central facility for Yamataikoku politics and religion.