Tomb of King Muryeong and Royal Tomb Complex, Gongju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.13

Category

유적지

Era

백제시대 중기

Designated year

1963

Location

공주시, 충청남도— 충남 공주시 금성동 산5-1번지

Coordinates

36.463108, 127.113498

Located in Geumseong-dong, Gongju, these are the tombs of the Baekje Dynasty. The seven tombs located on the southern slope of Songsan Mountain are of Baekje kings including King Muryeong. Among the seven royal tombs, three were excavated west of a valley (Nos. 5-6, tomb of King Muryeong), and four, in the northeast (Nos. 1-4). These six were excavated during the Japanese colonial rule, while the royal tomb of King Muryeong was found in 1971 during the repair work for Nos. 5-6. Tombs numbered 1-5 are of the stone chamber tomb with tunnel entrance type. The walls of the chamber are plastered, and the coffin base is made by laying pebbles (Nos. 1-4) or bricks (No. 5). When the excavation work started, Tombs 1-4 had already been burgled, but Tomb 5 was intact. Tomb 6, often called Mural Tomb in Songsan-ri, is of the brick chamber type. It has a rectangular chamber whose walls are decorated with mural paintings of stars, sun, moon, and gods of death. Another brick chamber tomb, which is that of King Muryeong, is decorated with lotus patterns and painting of the stars. There, archaeologists found many relics including a stone monument with inscriptions on the dead person. Influenced by China (tomb type) and Goguryeo (mural painting), the tomb is regarded as a precious asset for the study of Baekje society.

Location