'Tomb of Bihwa Gaya Ruler' Changnyeong Gyesong Burial Mound Excavation Site Open to the Public

On-site Briefing Session to Be Held at 2 p.m. on December 17

Changnyeong County in South Gyeongsang Province and the Gyeongnam Research Institute will hold an on-site briefing session for the 'Excavation of Tombs No. 10 and 11 at the Gyesong Burial Mound Cluster in Changnyeong' at the excavation site (San 98, Gyesong-ri, Gyesong-myeon) at 2:00 p.m. on December 17.

The Gyesong Burial Mound Cluster in Changnyeong, together with the Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong burial mounds-which have been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites-is a significant archaeological site that illustrates the formation and development of Bihwa Gaya, an ancient state in Changnyeong. Its historical value and importance were recognized, leading to its designation as a National Historic Site in 2019.

'The Burial Mound of the Ruler of Bihwa Gaya' Changnyeong Gyesong Burial Mounds Excavation Site Open to the Public. Provided by Changnyeong County

Following its designation as a historic site, restoration and maintenance efforts for the burial mound cluster have been underway as part of the National Heritage Conservation and Maintenance Project by the National Heritage Administration. Excavations are being conducted in three phases from 2023 to 2025. The discovery of unique tomb structures not seen in other regions has sparked extensive discussions about the nature of the group that constructed the Gyesong Burial Mound Cluster.

Tomb No. 10, identified in this excavation, is a large Gaya-era burial mound with an earthen mound located at the tip of the central ridge of the Gyesong cluster. According to the findings, Tomb No. 10 is a large stone chamber tomb with a wooden lid, measuring 13.5 meters in length, 6.3 meters in width, and 2.8 meters in height. It was constructed with separate main and subsidiary chambers-the main chamber for the principal occupant and the subsidiary chamber for grave goods.

To construct the large stone chamber tomb and earthen mound, the builders employed the highest level of tomb construction technology of the time, including wooden frame construction techniques and sectional earthen mound building. Artifacts unearthed include horse trappings adorned with gilt-bronze, iron weapons such as spearheads and axes, and a variety of earthenware such as pedestal dishes and jars densely packed into the subsidiary chamber.

'The Burial Mound of the Ruler of Bihwa Gaya' Changnyeong Gyesong Burial Mounds Excavation Site Opened. Provided by Changnyeong County

Notably, although only fragments were recovered due to grave robbery, pieces of a gilt-bronze crown were found, confirming that this was the tomb of a top-ranking ruler of the time.

This excavation of the Gyesong Burial Mound Cluster in Changnyeong provides an opportunity to glimpse the power and status of the Bihwa Gaya rulers in the late 5th century, and is significant for its detailed confirmation of advanced tomb construction techniques.

Changnyeong County expects that this on-site briefing session will enhance public understanding and interest in Bihwa Gaya in Changnyeong and foster social consensus on future directions for research and preservation.

The briefing session is open to the public without prior registration, and further information can be obtained from the National Heritage Team of the Culture and Arts Department at Changnyeong County.