This gallery houses the Museum's collection of prehistoric archaeological artifacts, such as earthenware, stoneware, and metalware, from the Paleolithic (200,000?-10,500 B.C.) to Kofun (c. A.D. 250-600) periods, excavated from various regions throughout Japan. These objects provide insight into the life and regional exchange of the early inhabitants of Japan, as well as attest to the amazing expressiveness and aesthetic sensibility of these people. This room introduces objects excavated from around the 8th century, when Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan. Memorial tablets, cinerary urns, One Million Pagodas (hyakumanto), roof tiles and votive tiles excavated from former temples, sutra cases and their outer containers, and sutra tiles from the Nara period (710-793) are on exhibit. Also, displayed are green-glazed tiles and stone pillars from the ancient capital, Heiankyo (present-day Kyoto).