Ornamented Dagger from Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju

The ornamented dagger from Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju, is a 36 cm long blade found in the King Michu Tomb district in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju. It was one of the relics uncovered during construction work on Gyerim-ro in 1973; the iron scabbard and blade have rotted away, leaving only the gold fittings. It was found at the waist of the buried body. The end of the hilt is shaped like a thimble, with a piece of red agate set in the centre. On the flat plate above the area corresponding to the scabbard is a round pattern resembling a taegeuk, a swirling yin-yang design. Its form and decoration differ from the ring-pommel long swords excavated from tombs of the Three Kingdoms period, and daggers of this type are found only in the region stretching from Europe to the Middle East, never elsewhere in the East; it is therefore important material illustrating one facet of cultural exchange between East and West.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물