Ancient Tombs in Bokcheon-dong, Busan

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.273

Category

유적지

Era

가야시대

Designated year

1981

Location

동래구, 부산광역시— 부산 동래구 복천동 일원

Coordinates

35.206664, 129.090555

Concentrated on a hill in Bokcheon-dong, Busan, this is a large group of ancient tombs from the Gaya Dynasty. More than forty of them have been excavated over several stages of research, but this is just a part of the total number, and most of the tombs still remain buried under houses. Various patterns of tomb building were found, such as earth pit and wooden coffin tombs, pit style stone burial chambers, and pit tombs. There are many bigger tombs that were not robbed so more than 2,000 pieces of various artifacts have been excavated so far. The earthenware, including mounted dishes, pots with long necks and lamps represent the specific character of earthenware used in the area of the lower Nakdonggang River, and this contributes to their accurate dating. It is found that the earthenware of Silla had a great influence on what was made here in the middle of the 5th century. Various kinds of armor and helmets including single-ply armor made of iron, light armor, and hanging armor were found. In particular, the single-ply armor from the 4th tomb is of a unique kind that was found here for the first time in our country. The hanging armor was found in the 11th tomb with a complete set of accessories attached, for the first time in our country. In the 10th tomb, also for the first time, a fully equipped harness was found. It is possible to confirm that these kinds of helmets and armor came from Goguryeo as they were painted on the inside walls of tombs of that age. The discovery of a new pattern in the tombs at Bokcheon-dong is providing an important motive to study the changing trends of tombs. Therefore this group of tombs at Bokcheon-dong is a very important site which is continuing to provide various materials to study the ancient history of our country.

Location