Although some archaeologists indicate that they were possibly dedicated to enthroned kings, many doubt that they were only for enthroning kings, because similar tumuli, if in a small number, were discovered not only in Nara Prefecture, but also in the eastern part of Japan, such as at Inarizuka-kofun Tumulus in Tama City, Tokyo Prefecture.
即位した大王が祭られている可能性を指摘する学者もあるが、奈良県だけではなく東京都多摩市の稲荷塚古墳をはじめ東日本など各地で少数ではあるが確認されていることから即位した大王だけを祭る為に造られている可能性に疑いを持つ学者も多い。