The Cultural Affairs Agency will consider removing deteriorating wall paintings found inside the ancient Kitora tomb in Nara Prefecture for preservation, officials said Thursday.
An agency research committee visited the excavation site in the village of Asuka on Wednesday and plans to meet in Tokyo on July 12 to discuss their removal.
The tomb dates from the late seventh century to the early eighth century, with its mound measuring about 14 meters in diameter and 2.6 meters high. The paintings were discovered there in 1983.
It is situated about 1 km south of the Takamatsuzuka tomb, which also contains murals. The murals at Takamatsuzuka have been deteriorating since their discovery.
