The academic research on Jjoksaem District near Daereungwon
aims to restore the decaying ancient tombs of the Silla era to
their original forms and shed light on Silla funerary practices.
We expect that the excavation and investigation of J171 and
J172, both of which are constructed as a mounded tomb with
wooden chambers but without a protective stone layer, will help
us uncover the origin and evolution of this tomb style unique to
the Silla dynasty.
Overview of the Jjoksaem District Site and Research Status
Gyeongju Daereungwon is home to a group of royal tombs
created in the Silla era. Jjoksaem District within Daereungwon
refers to an area measuring 113,168.4m2 that has been
subject to a distribution investigation since 2007. So far, over
1,500 ancient tombs, ritual facilities, and pits of various sizes
dating back to the 3rd-6th centuries have been uncovered at
the site.
Mounded Wooden-Chamber Tombs Lacking a Protective Stone Layer – Newly Found Style Dating Back to the Silla Era
Distribution Investigation of Jjoksaem District J
District J, located in the southwestern part of Jjoksaem District,
has been subject to a full-scale distribution investigation since
About one-fifth of the entire target area has been
investigated, with over 250 architectural features uncovered.
In particular, a unique tomb style equipped with a mound not
supported with a protective stone layer was first identified.
Past studies have indicated that the typical mounded wooden
chamber tomb of the Silla era consists of wooden chambers,
a stone layer, a soil layer, and a protective stone layer. The
protective stone layer, in particular, was considered closely
related to the origin of this tomb style
J171 and J172 – Mounded Wooden-Chamber Tombs
Lacking a Protective Stone Layer
J171 and J172 were identified as mounded wooden-chamber
tombs, both of which measure about 13m in diameter and
were built around the middle of the 5th century. They are the
first mounded wooden-chamber tombs without a protective stone layer to be discovered. We expect that this discovery will
lead to uncovering the origin and evolution of the mounded
wooden-chamber tomb style of the Silla era, which are the top
areas of focus in Korea’s archaeological scene.
In the annex chamber of J172, a complete harness set (gag,
saddle, stirrups, pendants, ornaments, etc.) was discovered laid
on a large round jar. In particular, the ornament with a convex
gilt bronze plate and silver-plated iron rim is identified as a rare
find.
Other vessels excavated together include a cup with a lid
covered in a repetitive flower pattern and a three-tiered pedestal with cut-out details. Similar artifacts have not been
found in other parts of Daereungwon, and the unburied
artifacts are significant in that they serve as clues for the
funerary practices and local exchanges at the time.
01 Distribution map of architectural features in Jjoksaem District (as of June 2024)
02 List of tombs in the northeastern part of District J in chronological order
03 Stone layer in the upper part of J171 and J172 (direction of the head pointing north)
04 Investigation of the main burial chambers of J171 and J17205 Artifacts excavated from the annex chamber of J172
06 Harness excavated from J172
07 Lid of the annex chamber of J172
08 Profile of the flower-patterned lid
09 Exterior of the flower-patterned lid
10 Profile of the cup on a three-tiered pedestal with cut-out details
11 Interior of the cup on a three-tiered pedestal with cut-out details