Experimental practice using 3D scanning for understanding the structure of a stone chamber from the Kofun period, Japan – A case study of the Shobuzako Kofun, Okayama prefecture –

The Shobuzako Kofun, located in Okayama prefecture (western Japan), is a key-hole tomb set on a low rolling hill dating to the 5th century AD. Its stone chamber and burial goods are in very good condition because the stone chamber has not been looted.In this presentation, we will indicate a case study of the experimental use of 3D measuring techniques for recording and understanding the structure of a stone chamber, as well as the layout of burial goods’ layers in the Shobuzako Kofun. We will show some of the benefits and problems of 3D measuring techniques, and the basic remarks for using this method