Hansung Baekje Museum Unveils Excavation Site of Seokchon-dong Tumuli, the Breath of Baekje Royalty

Step-by-Step Return to Normalcy: On-Site Briefings Resume

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Hanseong Baekje Museum announced on the 24th that it will open an "on-site museum" inviting citizens to the excavation site of the Baekje royal tomb area, the "Seokchon-dong Burial Mounds," where visitors can vividly observe the excavation process as well as the relics and artifacts firsthand.

The excavation site of the super-large (length 125m, width 60m) "connected stone mound tombs," a form consisting of dozens of stone mound tombs linked together, will be exhibited on-site along with various excavated artifacts such as Baekje pottery, gold earrings, and roof tiles with ridge-end decorations.

The relics and artifacts being revealed this time are the results of annual excavation surveys conducted by the Hanseong Baekje Museum for seven years since 2015, allowing visitors to fully experience the excavation status of the "connected stone mound tombs," which were discovered for the first time in Korea.

The "connected stone mound tombs" are a unique form of burial mounds found only in Seokchon-dong. Previously known as individual stone mound tombs, the discovery of dozens of these tombs connected together has attracted significant attention from the archaeological community. Notably, it has been clearly revealed that the restored "Tomb No. 1" is connected to these, and the tombs extend further around it, raising expectations for future additional excavation results.

Numerous cremated human bones were also excavated from the "connected stone mound tombs," drawing attention as materials that open a new horizon in the study of Baekje funeral culture. This is the first time cremated bones have been found in Baekje burial mounds, specifically in the Seokchon-dong Burial Mounds. Over 2,000 artifacts including pottery, gold ornaments, and roof tiles were excavated together. Among these, about 50 restored items will be publicly displayed through this "on-site museum."

Yoo Byung-ha, director of the Hanseong Baekje Museum, said, "Through systematic excavation surveys, we will continue efforts to clarify the true nature of the Hanseong Baekje royal tomb district and share the world heritage value of the Seokchon-dong Burial Mounds with citizens."