Discovery of Best-Preserved Noble Tomb at Daeseongdong Burial Mounds Sparks High Academic Interest

Expecting Support for Gaya History Research for UNESCO World Heritage Registration

Schematic Diagram of Inhumation Burial Appearance (Photo by Gimhae City Hall)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kang Sharon] The most intact noble tomb has been excavated at the Daeseong-dong Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 341) in Gimhae City, the burial site of the highest ruling class of Geumgwan Gaya, attracting extraordinary attention from the academic community.

In particular, this is the first time that a large quantity of lacquerware with patterns engraved has been excavated from a Gaya tomb, raising expectations that it will greatly contribute not only to the study of Gaya history, known as the Fourth Empire, but also to the registration of the site as a UNESCO World Heritage.

The Daeseong-dong Tumuli Museum announced that it will hold an academic advisory meeting on these excavation results at the excavation site at 11 a.m. on the 3rd, followed by opening the excavation site to the public at 3 p.m.

The Daeseong-dong Tumuli Cluster is a representative Gaya period site recognized for its value, having been included in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage registration since its excavation in 1990.

Unearthed Beaded Necklace (Photo by Gimhae City Hall)

Through the 10th investigation, various artifacts such as ironware, bronzeware, pottery, lacquerware, jade, and glass beads were excavated from about 70 tombs including wooden coffins, wooden boxes, and jar coffins from the Gaya period confirmed in the trial excavation. In particular, the No. 108 wooden box tomb is almost perfectly preserved, which is rare, and the academic community expects it to greatly aid Gaya history research.

The city stated, "After this academic advisory meeting on important relics, the excavation will be completed within this month," and added, "Visitors to the excavation site must wear masks and attend considering the COVID-19 situation."