{
  "id": 18030270,
  "title": "Japan Archaeologists Uncover 1,500-Year-Old Statue of Possible Priestess",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/japan-archaeologists-uncover-1-500-year-old-statue-of-possible",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T21:41:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/11/03/clay-statue-priestess-japan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Archaeologists in Japan have unearthed a 1,500-year-old clay statue of a woman who may have served as a priestess approximately 1,500 years ago. This discovery provides a rare insight into the ancient burial rituals and the religious practices of the time. The figure, known as a haniwa, was found at Nishikaminomiya, a site in Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. The statue dates back to the second half of the fifth century and measures around 40 centimeters tall. Only the head and torso remain, indicating that the original statue was much larger.\n\nThe haniwa is believed to represent a miko, or shrine maiden, a woman who in Shinto tradition serves as a link between the human world and the spirit world. This interpretation is supported by the statue's distinctive features, such as its topknot hairstyle, known as a shimada, which is typically associated with shrine maidens of the Kofun period (300-710 AD). The figure also wears bracelets and a red sash, as well as a rod-shaped object in her left hand, which archaeologists interpret as a ritual tool.\n\nThe discovery of the statue adds a human dimension to a period largely known through its monumental tombs. It sheds light on why researchers interpret the statue as a priestess, offering clues about the religious roles of women during the period. The statue's position near a boat-shaped sarcophagus in the burial mound suggests that it once stood near the main tomb before slipping down the slope over time.\n\nHaniwa, or hollow clay sculptures, were created during the Kofun period when powerful families built massive burial mounds to honor their leaders. These figures took various forms, including human figures, and were placed on and around tombs as offerings to the deceased. The possible depiction of a priestess in the statue emphasizes the importance placed on women's religious roles during this era. The statue is currently on display at either an excavation museum in Shibukawa or the Gunma Prefectural Museum of History, depending on the source. Visitors are advised to check with the respective institutions before visiting to view the statue's intricate details and learn more about the ritual practices it may represent.",
  "summary": "Archaeologists in Japan have recovered a clay statue of a woman who may have served as a priestess about 1,500 years ago. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into how ancient Japanese communities honored their dead. The figure, called a haniwa (a hollow clay sculpture placed on or around burial mounds), was unearthed this year […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}