The History of Yoshinogari
The Yayoi period was a long era spanning approximately 700 years.
At the Yoshinogari ruins, structures and relics from every part of this lengthy period have been discovered. Moreover, these ruins are of extremely high academic value: at this site, we have found relics that clearly show the characteristics of the different stages of this era, allowing us to understand how society evolved during this period.
EARLY YAYOI PERIOD (3c. B.C.- 2c. B.C.)
In the early Yayoi period, villages formed sporadically along a stretch of hills in Yoshinogari.
A moated village appeared along the southern edge of the area, and signs of development from "village" to "nation state" are apparent.
MIDDLE YAYOI PERIOD (2c. B.C.- 1c. A.D.)
In the middle Yayoi period, a large circular outer moat was dug around the southern part of the hills.
Burial mounds built for leaders, as well as cemeteries full of burial jars have been discovered. As the village developed so did its defenses, indicating that fighting had escalated.
LATE YAYOI PERIOD (1c. A.D. - 3c. A.D.)
In the late Yayoi period, Yoshinogari developed into the largest moated village in the country, encircled by a large outer moat dug down in a "V" shape.
The village also came to feature two special inner areas (the "Northern Inner Enclosure" and the "Southern Inner Enclosure"). Particularly in the Northern Inner Enclosure, large buildings appeared as Yoshinogari entered its golden age.
building in the Northern
Inner Enclosure