Over 2000 years ago, in the Yayoi period when rice-farming culture was introduced in Japan, a number of people came to this area in search of rich sources of water. People's lifestyles then changed drastically from hunting and gathering to agriculture. They settled on land that was suitable for agriculture where they had easy access to water and built a village. It is believed that there was a large village in the place that is currently Senyucho in Zentsuji City. The village was about one kilometer from east to west and about half a kilometer from north to south. The ruins of the village are called Kyu Renpeijo Iseki (parade ground ruins). Excavations in the past have identified over 150 pit-houses, more than 50 earthfast post buildings, earthenware coffins, bronze bells, bronze arrowheads, countless beads, vermillion-painted earthenware, painted earthenware and other relics.
The village became prosperous again in the Kofun Period. The area's abundant water resources drove the development of the area, leading to the emergence of a powerful local clan. Kofun are a type of traditional Japanese burial mound. It is believed that Zentsuji City had over 400 kofun of different sizes. Artifacts have been unearthed from some of them which appear to be linked to a powerful local clan related to the Yamato Dynasty.
