Square Tomb in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju

This tomb of the Unified Silla period lies at the foot of a hill on the north side of the road running from Gyeongju to Bulguksa Temple. The tomb is square in plan, and beneath the earth-covered mound is a ring of retaining stones carved with figures of the twelve zodiac spirits, placed there to protect the tomb. The use of such retaining stones is a tradition handed down from the Three Kingdoms period, and retaining stones carved with the twelve zodiac spirits are commonly found at the royal tombs of the Gyeongju region in the Unified Silla period. This square tomb measures 9.5m along each side and 2m in height. Inside it, set toward the south of the mound, is a corridor-style stone-chamber tomb built as a rectangular box and entered through a horizontal passage. A passageway opens onto the east wall of the burial chamber that housed the body. Artefacts recovered from the tomb include gilt-bronze crown ornaments, a silver belt buckle, and silver haengyeop, leaf-shaped pendants once attached to a saddle or harness. Judging from the arrangement of the retaining stones, the use of a stone coffin, and the style of the carved twelve zodiac spirits, the tomb is thought to belong to a member of the highest aristocracy of the late Unified Silla period. It is the only square tomb among Silla tombs, and although its lineage is unclear, it is regarded as a forerunner of the square tombs equipped with retaining stones that appear in the early Goryeo period. The official name of the site was changed from Gyeongju Gujeong-ri Banghyeongbun to Gyeongju Gujeong-dong Banghyeongbun (Square Tomb in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju) by notification of 28 July 2011.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적