Tomb of King Heongang, Gyeongju

This is the tomb of King Heongang (r. 875–886), the 49th king of Silla. During his reign King Heongang brought about an age of such peace and prosperity that song could be heard in the streets without end, and it is said that even the king of Japan sent gold in tribute. It is a round earthen mound tomb 4.2 m high and 15.3 m in diameter, with four tiers of stones built around its base for protection. The tomb was looted at an early date, and an emergency excavation was carried out after damage caused by rain. The chamber holding the coffin is square in plan, with a domed ceiling (a gungnyungsang, or corbelled vault) that narrows toward the top; the passage connecting to the chamber lies to the east, giving the whole structure an L-shaped plan. Pottery decorated with floral designs was also recovered from the tomb. The four-tiered arrangement of dressed protective stones is an unusual form among Silla royal tombs, also found at the tomb of King Jeonggang (r. 886–887). However, the internal structure and the pottery recovered are of styles that do not continue past the 8th century, differing considerably from the 9th century, when King Heongang actually reigned. The tomb's official designation was renamed from "Silla Tomb of King Heongang" to "Tomb of King Heongang, Gyeongju" on 28 July 2011.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적