Home Region:  Northeast Asia (East Asia)

Kansai - Kofun Period

250 CE 537 CE
EQ 2020  jp_kofun / JpKofun
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
300 BCE 250 CE Kansai - Yayoi Period (jp_yayoi)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity:
No Polity found. Add one here.


  General Description  
The Kofun period is commonly defined by the emergence and spread of mounded tombs, from which derive the word Kofun meaning "old tumulus"(Ko (=ancient) + fun(=tumulus)). [1] [2] The most visually prominent type of these mounds is the monumental keyhole shaped tomb that spread from northern Kyushu to Kanto from the middle of the third century onwards. [3] [4] The large-sized keyhole shaped tombs have been interpreted as the burials of regional leaders. [2] Most of the largest keyhole shaped tumuli are distributed in the present-day Nara basin and Osaka plain of the Kansai region, which could have played a prominent political role in Japan during the Kofun period. [1] The Kofun period is sub-divided into three sub-periods: Early (250-400 CE), Middle (400-475 CE), and Late (475-710 CE). [5] This sub-division is based on changes in tomb structures and their assemblages, in settlement patterns and in ruling dynasties. In fact, the seat of the political centre shifted from Miwa, during the Early Kofun, to Kawachi, in the Middle Kofun, and finally to Asuka in the Late Kofun period. [6]
Population and political organization
The Early Kofun period is characterized by the spatial distribution of many contemporaneous large keyhole shaped tumuli, which represent the presence of several different polities and regional leaders. [1] [7] In this period, bronze mirrors, beads of jasper and green tuff, haniwa vessels, iron weapons and tools were deposited in the large mounded tombs, which likely hosted the burial of a regional chief. [8] The burial chambers were either cists made of slate stone in oblong plan or vertical pitsdug on the top of the mound. [9] The political centre was Miwa, in the south-eastern Nara basin. Thi centres incorporated the Makimuku district, which housed the large Hashikaka keyhole-shaped tomb (280 m long), considered to be the burial place of the queen Himiko. [5] The power was held at Miwa by the Sujin dynasty. [10] [11]
The Middle Kofun period is characterized by the spread of large keyhole-shaped mounds in the Osaka Plains.The grave assemblage met substantial change: bronze mirrors and fine beadstone objects were no longer deposited. [6] [12] Instead, the amount of iron deposited in the tombs in form of weapons and/or tools increased. [6] Beads, armlets and talismans begant to be made of talc, and they were not only deposited in burials but also used in landscape rituals. [13] [14] [15] Horse trappings, gilt-bronze ornaments and gold jewellery began being deposited in the grave assemblage of large burial mounds. [6] In this period, the power was exerted by the Ojin dynasty in the centre of Kawachi, in the east central Osaka prefecture. [6]
In the Late Kofun Period the size of the burial mounds decreased significantly and the construction of large keyhole-shaped tumuli ceased, except for the Kanto region. Thereafter, the tumuli of the regional leaders were downsized and built in a rectangular and square shape. [16] [17] [18] This decline was followed by the proliferation of clusters of small round tumuli called "packed tumuli clusters". [19] They have been interpreted as the result of the emulation of the chiefly habits by powerful extended family-scale groupings. [20] In this period were also introduced the corridor-chamber tombs and the cliff-cut cave tombs. [21] The power was held by the Keitai dinasty in the centre of Asuka, in southern Nara prefecture. [22] The introduction of Buddhism in 552 CE, determined a new Buddhism-based culture in the area. [21]
We have estimated the population of Kansai to be between 150,000 and 200,000 people in 300 CE, and between 1.5 million and 2 million by 500 CE. An estimated 16.8% of the Japanese population lived in Kansai from 250-599 CE. [23] [24]

[1]: Mizoguchi, K., 2009.Nodes and edges: A network approach to hierarchisation and state formation in Japan. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 28, 15.

[2]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 7.

[3]: Hirose, K. 1992. ‘Zenphkhenfun no Kinai hennen [Chronology of keyhole tombs in the Kinai]’. In Y. Kondh (ed.). Kinki-hen, pp. 24-6.

[4]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 221-226.

[5]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 9.

[6]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 10.

[7]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 243.

[8]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 259-264.

[9]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 249-250.

[10]: Kawamura, Y. 2004. ‘Shoki Wa seiken to tamazukuri shidan [Early Wa authority and bead production]’. Khkogaku Kenkyi 50 (4): 55-75.

[11]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 9-10.

[12]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 260-263.

[13]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 262.

[14]: Barnes, G., 2006. ‘Ritualized beadstone in Kofun-period society’. East Asia Journal: studies in material culture 2(1).

[15]: Kaner, Simon. "The Archaeology of Religion and Ritual in the Prehistoric Japanese Archipelago." The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Ritual and Religion (2011): 457-469.

[16]: Shiraishi, T., 1999. ‘Kofun kara mita yamato Hken to Azuma [Viewing Yamato kingly authority and the eastern provinces from mounded tombs]’. Khkai khkogaku khza, pp. 15-17 (conference pamphlet). Maebashi: Gunma-ken Maizhbunkazai Chhsajigyhdan.

[17]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 10-11.

[18]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 297-298.

[19]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 298.

[20]: K. Mizoguchi, 2013. The Archaeology of Japan. From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 298-299.

[21]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 14.

[22]: G. Barnes, 2007. State formation in Japan: Emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite. Routledge, 10, 14.

[23]: Kidder, J. E., 2007. Himiko and Japan’s elusive chiefdom of Yamatai: archaeology, history, and mythology. University of Hawaii Press, 60.

[24]: Koyama, S., 1978. Jomon Subsistence and Population. Senri Ethnological Studies 2. Osaka: National Museum of Ethnology

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun) was in:
 (250 CE 537 CE) Kansai
Home NGA: Kansai

General Variables
Identity and Location Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 53 S 250 CE  537 CE
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Original Name Kansai - Kofun Period 250 CE  537 CE
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Capital 250 CE  537 CE
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Capital 250 CE  537 CE
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Capital 250 CE  537 CE
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Alternative Name Kofun period in Kinki region 250 CE  537 CE
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Alternative Name Kofun period in Kinai region 250 CE  537 CE
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Temporal Bounds Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Duration
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Political and Cultural Relations Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Supracultural Entity 250 CE  537 CE
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Succeeding Entity Kansai - Asuka Period 250 CE  537 CE
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Scale of Supracultural Interaction 250 CE  537 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity 250 CE  537 CE
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Preceding Entity
300 BCE 250 CE
Kansai - Yayoi Period (jp_yayoi)   [continuity] 
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Degree of Centralization 250 CE  537 CE
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Language Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Linguistic Family Japonic 250 CE  537 CE
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Language Japanese 250 CE  537 CE
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Religion Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Polity Territory 250 CE  537 CE
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Polity Population 250 CE 400 CE
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Polity Population 401 CE 500 CE
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Polity Population 500 CE 537 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 250 CE  537 CE
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Religious Level 250 CE 537 CE
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Military Level 300 CE
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Military Level 400 CE 500 CE
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Administrative Level 250 CE 299 CE
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Administrative Level 300 CE 530 CE
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Professions Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Professional Soldier 250 CE  537 CE
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Professional Priesthood 250 CE 500 CE
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Professional Priesthood 501 CE 531 CE
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Professional Military Officer 250 CE  537 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building 250 CE  537 CE
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Merit Promotion 250 CE  537 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat 250 CE  537 CE
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Examination System Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Law Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer 250 CE  537 CE
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Judge 250 CE  537 CE
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250 CE  537 CE
Court 250 CE  537 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Market 250 CE  537 CE
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Irrigation System 250 CE  537 CE
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Food Storage Site Present 250 CE  537 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System 250 CE  537 CE
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Entertainment Building 250 CE  537 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Road 250 CE 499 CE
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Road 250 CE 499 CE
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Road 500 CE
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Port 250 CE 499 CE
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Port 250 CE 499 CE
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Port 500 CE 537 CE
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Canal 250 CE  537 CE
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Bridge 250 CE  537 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Mines or Quarry 250 CE  537 CE
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Information / Writing System Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record 250 CE 399 CE
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Written Record 399 CE 449 CE
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Written Record 450 CE 537 CE
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Script 250 CE  537 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 250 CE  537 CE
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Nonwritten Record 250 CE  537 CE
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Non Phonetic Writing 250 CE  537 CE
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Mnemonic Device Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Scientific Literature 250 CE  537 CE
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Sacred Text 250 CE 399 CE
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Sacred Text 399 CE 537 CE
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Religious Literature 250 CE 399 CE
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Religious Literature 399 CE 537 CE
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Practical Literature 250 CE 399 CE
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Practical Literature 399 CE 449 CE
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Practical Literature 399 CE 449 CE
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Practical Literature 450 CE 537 CE
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Philosophy 250 CE 399 CE
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Philosophy 399 CE 537 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 250 CE 399 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 399 CE 449 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 399 CE 449 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 450 CE 537 CE
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History 250 CE 399 CE
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History 399 CE 537 CE
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Fiction 250 CE  537 CE
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Calendar 250 CE 399 CE
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Calendar 399 CE 449 CE
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Calendar 399 CE 449 CE
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Calendar 450 CE 537 CE
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Information / Money Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Token 250 CE  537 CE
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Paper Currency 250 CE  537 CE
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Indigenous Coin 250 CE  537 CE
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Foreign Coin 250 CE  537 CE
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Article 250 CE  537 CE
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Information / Postal System Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Courier 250 CE  537 CE
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Information / Measurement System Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Geometrical Measurement System 250 CE  537 CE
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Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 250 CE  537 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared 250 CE  537 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared 250 CE  537 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position 250 CE  537 CE
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Modern Fortification 250 CE  537 CE
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Moat 250 CE  537 CE
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Fortified Camp Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Earth Rampart 250 CE  537 CE
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Ditch 250 CE  537 CE
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Complex Fortification 250 CE  537 CE
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Long Wall absent 250 CE  537 CE
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Military use of Metals Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Steel 250 CE  537 CE
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Iron 250 CE  537 CE
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Copper 250 CE  537 CE
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Bronze 250 CE  537 CE
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Projectiles Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine 250 CE  537 CE
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Sling Siege Engine 250 CE  537 CE
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Sling 250 CE  537 CE
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Self Bow 250 CE  537 CE
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Javelin 250 CE  537 CE
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Handheld Firearm 250 CE  537 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery 250 CE  537 CE
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Crossbow 250 CE  537 CE
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Composite Bow 250 CE  537 CE
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Atlatl 250 CE  537 CE
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Handheld weapons Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
War Club 250 CE  537 CE
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Sword 250 CE  537 CE
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Spear 250 CE  537 CE
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Polearm 250 CE  537 CE
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Dagger 250 CE  537 CE
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Battle Axe 250 CE  537 CE
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Animals used in warfare Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Horse 250 CE  537 CE
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Elephant 250 CE  537 CE
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Donkey Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Dog Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Camel 250 CE  537 CE
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Armor Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Unknown Suspected 250 CE  537 CE
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Shield 250 CE  537 CE
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Scaled Armor 250 CE 500 CE
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Scaled Armor 501 CE 537 CE
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Plate Armor 250 CE  537 CE
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Limb Protection 250 CE  537 CE
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Leather Cloth 250 CE  537 CE
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Laminar Armor 250 CE 299 CE
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Laminar Armor 300 CE 349 CE
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Laminar Armor 350 CE 537 CE
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Helmet 250 CE 400 CE
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Helmet 401 CE 537 CE
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Chainmail 250 CE  537 CE
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Breastplate 250 CE 300 CE
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Breastplate 301 CE 537 CE
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Naval technology Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel 250 CE  537 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc 250 CE  537 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service 250 CE  537 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers 250 CE  537 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain 250 CE  537 CE
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Human Sacrifice Kansai - Kofun Period (jp_kofun)
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Instability Data
Power Transitions