Ancient Tombs in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.350

Category

유적지

Era

3c말~4c초

Designated year

1991

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 불국로 61 (구정동)

Coordinates

35.782106, 129.301631

These are three tomb mounds on the summit of a 40m-high, independent, globular-shaped hill in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju. In 1951, Kim Won-ryong collected and reported the unearthed ironware including a bronze sword and a horse bell; later, in 1982, the Gyeongju National Museum followed up and formally led the excavation. The inside facility is a wooden chamber tomb where they dug a hole in which to place a wooden coffin and covered it with soil. The first coffin is on the incline of the hill, with the second and third coffins on the summit assumed to have been a tomb where a couple was buried together. In the first coffin, gray-soft earthenware and ceramic-quality earthenware were excavated. In the second coffin spanning 6m long and 1.2m wide, brazier-formed earthenware, 25 big iron spears, and ceramic-quality earthenware were excavated. In the third coffin measuring 8m long and 1.5m wide, sword with ring pommel, armor, gray-soft earthenware, and ceramic-quality earthenware were excavated. Its period is presumed to have been the first half of the 4th century, which was the beginning stage of ceramic-quality earthenware judging from the fact that gray-soft earthenware and ceramic-quality earthenware were excavated together. The armor is of a primitive style composed of 11 vertically connected iron boards. A big iron spear also has spiritual character. This tomb mound is superior compared with the other tomb mounds of that time, judging from the condition of the location, size, and excavated relics' state. It is presumed to have been a tomb for the ruling class of the region. Since the 5th century, tombs have included many gilt bronze artifacts; therefore, it is an important relic in understanding the development process of the tombs.

Location