The eight campuses of Kumamoto University are built over some of the most famous historical sites in Kumamoto Prefecture, dating from thousands of years ago to modern times (at places like Kurokamimachi, Honjo, and Oe). As such, whenever digging must be performed as part of maintenance of college facilities (construction and repair of buildings and infrastructure), archaeological excavations are also performed to prevent damage to historical artifacts. In October 2011, the Center emerged as one of the Inter-Department Institutes for Education and Research from the Research Office for Buried Cultural Properties, which had been performing excavations since May 1994. The Center’s objectives are the documentation, preservation, and practical use of the excavated cultural properties (archaeological features and relics). Excavation results are made public via annual and ad hoc reports, and visitors are always welcome to learn about what has been found in exhibition room.