Buyeo Royal Tombs

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.14

Category

유적지

Era

백제시대 후기

Designated year

1963

Location

부여군, 충청남도— 충남 부여군 부여읍 능산리 산15-5 외

Coordinates

36.277843, 126.942797

The ancient tombs of Baekje are located on the mid-slope of Neungsallisan Mountain. Based on the theory of feng shui, three of them are situated at the front, and another three, in the middle, with the last one located at the back, the highest position. Known as royal tombs since long ago, six tombs (Nos. 1-6) were excavated during the Japanese colonial rule; the seventh was discovered in 1971 during a repair work. Their mounds are round and are categorized to be of the stone chamber tomb with tunnel entrance type. The tombs are divided into three categories according to the structure and material used for construction. With the tunnel-type ceiling of the chamber, Tomb 2 is regarded as the earliest. On the other hand, Tomb 1 has a ceiling made of a single stone plate, just like the typical Goguryeo stone chamber tomb. The gods of death are painted on all four walls, and lotus and cloud patterns, on the ceiling. Tombs 3 and 4 have slanted ceilings made of stone plates, with the passage to the chamber shorter than the others. Found mostly in the Buyeo area, this is the latest type. Not many relics were found in the Ancient Tomb in Neungsan-ri because they had already been burgled. Recently, however, a temple site was found west of the tombs where archaeologists excavated a gilt-bronze incense burner and a royal sarira reliquary - evidence that these are royal tombs. The structure of these tombs consists of a main chamber and a passageway, but the shape of the roofs and walls in each are slightly different. One tomb located at the center of the front row has a chamber structure composed of long stone slabs quite similar to that of the brick-constructed tomb of King Muryeong in Songsan-ri, Gongju. Another stone chamber tomb composed of well-trimmed stone slabs located east of the front row is famous for the wall paintings shown dimly on the surface of four walls and ceiling. These wall paintings, painted on the surface of the four walls, portray the Four Spirits: Blue Dragon (east), White Tiger (west), Black Tortoise (north), and Vermilion Phoenix (south). Lotus design and images of flying clouds adorn the ceiling.

Location