Excavations at the Kori and Heka ruins in Osaka, Japan, have yielded an almost intact doll of the mid-Yayoi Pottery Culture period. The discovery of the moon-faced doll was announced a few days ago.

Excavations at the site, which started in June 2016, have lead to the discovery of 140 rectangular burial mounds, called Hokei Shukobo. That is where archaeologists discovered the doll, preserved and protected in the soil. The artefact is 5.9 cm tall and 3 cm wide and comprises a torso with a flat base and a head with cut eyes and nose.

Other items were also found, such as three ancient cylindrical beads, probably made of jasper, called kuda dama.

The announcement of the discovery was made by the Osaka Centre for Cultural Heritage last Thursday.