Ancient Tombs in Bongdeok-ri, Gochang

The Ancient Tombs in Bongdeok-ri, Gochang, consist of a total of four bungu-myo, mound tombs built by first raising an earthen or stone mound and then constructing the burial chamber on top of it. The tombs designated as a historic site on this occasion are Tomb No. 1, on which excavation has been completed, and Tomb No. 2, which has undergone precision surface survey and detailed measurement. Tombs No. 1 and No. 2, which adjoin each other, are well preserved, and their shapes can be clearly identified with the naked eye. In particular, Tomb No. 1, measuring 70 m east–west, 52 m north–south and up to 9 m in height, is regarded as the largest bungu-myo in the Jeollabuk-do region. Bungu-myo are generally built on flat land or on a hilltop, but at Bongdeok-ri the builders cut into the slope of a natural hill to level the ground, first shaping the basic form into a bangdae-hyeong (a square platform with a flat top), then building a stone burial chamber on top of it and raising an earthen mound over it. The boundary between Tomb No. 1 and Tomb No. 2 was formed by excavating a large section of the natural hill. This method of construction is highly distinctive and has not been confirmed elsewhere in the Mahan–Baekje region, including the Yeongsangang River basin. At the time of excavation, Tomb No. 1 was found to contain various burial facilities within its mound, including stone chambers, jar coffins and stone-lined pits, showing that it well preserves the tradition of Mahan bungu-myo found in the Yeongsangang River basin. In particular, Stone Chamber No. 4 yielded a large number of artefacts, including a splendid pair of gilt-bronze shoes, together with a Chinese celadon jar with a dish-shaped mouth and a small jar decorated with a perforated, wide-mouthed jar, indicating that the group who built the Bongdeok-ri tombs belonged to the highest social class in the Gochang region at the time. Accordingly, judging from the form of the burial system and the excavated artefacts, the Ancient Tombs in Bongdeok-ri, Gochang, make it possible to examine the relationship between the Baekje centre and its regional territories around the 5th century, as well as international relations of the time, including exchange with China and Wa (ancient Japan), giving the site high historical and academic value.

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Where it is

Region

Gochang, Jeonbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적