Okyozuka Shinden Burial Mounds

Excavations between 1986 and 1996 uncovered evidence of 15 burial mounds built between the end of the 3rd and the middle of the 4th century. Although the mounds and burial chambers had been destroyed, the discovery of circumference grooves confirmed their existence. Along with the development of rice cultivation, the population increased; and groups started fighting for control of land. This led to the formation of Japan's first government, the Yamato Administration. The significance of burial mounds is that they indicate the deceased was a ruler recognized by the government.
The Shinden burial mounds were built where a village was first established and later moved. They consist of four Zenpokoenfun (large keyhole-shaped tombs), which shows the succession of the ruler, and 11 hofun (square or rectangular burial mounds), which were family graves.