Ancient Baekje Hanseong Capital Period Tomb Discovered Beneath Hiking Trail Exercise Equipment

Near 155m above sea level on Borasan... Surface exposure confirmed
Large number of pottery and ironware excavated from five stone coffin tombs

Ancient tombs from the Baekje Hanseong capital period have been discovered in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association announced on the 7th that they investigated the area around San 62-2, Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin City, and confirmed five stone cist tombs presumed to have been constructed during the Baekje period. Stone cist tombs are rectangular-shaped graves made by digging a pit and stacking stones.

3?, 4?, and 5 Ho (from left) overview during the investigation of stone coffin tombs

The newly confirmed tombs are located along the northern ridge of Borasan Mountain, around 155 meters above sea level. Some parts were discovered exposed on the surface last year. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Exercise equipment and other sports facilities were installed nearby, and the area was used as a hiking trail, raising concerns about potential damage."

The Korea Cultural Heritage Research Institute, which conducted the excavation, confirmed five stone cist tombs. All were constructed in a manner where they intersected at right angles with the contour lines of the ridge. The entire tomb was either surrounded by walls made of broken and natural stones, or stones were stacked only on parts excluding the head direction.

Artifacts such as a spindle whorl and beads were excavated from Tomb No. 2. Tomb No. 4 yielded pottery items including short-necked jars and footed jars, along with iron artifacts such as spears, sickles, knives, axes, and arrowheads. Tomb No. 5 also contained short-necked jars, straight-mouthed jars, large jars, spindle whorls, and beads.

Damage to Stone Chamber Tomb Due to Installation of Exercise Equipment

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Most of the artifacts were found near the head or foot areas of the tombs," and added, "The estimated production period is roughly the 4th century, corresponding to the Baekje Hanseong period." They further evaluated, "This is a very valuable resource for clarifying the historical significance of the large-scale tomb site area confirmed in Yongin." Previously, Baekje Hanseong period tombs were confirmed at Borasan Mountain, including the Gongsire site and the Gongsedong San 38 site.

Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Administration will open the excavation site to the public on the 8th and 9th.