Gold Crown Tomb
Gold Crown Tomb | |
National Treasures of South Korea No. 87 | |
Korean name | |
---|---|
Hangul | 금관총 |
Hanja | 金冠塚 |
Revised Romanization | Geumgwanchong |
McCune–Reischauer | Kŭmgwanch'ong |
The Gold Crown Tomb (Geumgwanchong), is a
The diameter of the tomb is 45 m and the height is 12 m. Such stone mounded tombs only existed in the
Excavation of the tomb
The artifacts were found in the process of construction work in the backyard of a private house in 1921. Surveying started immediately and Japanese interest in Silla tumuli rose with the beginning the excavation. As a result, other large tombs, such as Geumryungchong and Seabongchong, were discovered.
Artifacts discovered
Gold and silver belt ornaments were excavated at the same time as the Gold Crown. They were made with a thin band of either gold or silver and had 17 pendants in various shapes. The silver belt ornaments have a similar design as those excavated in Baekje Royal Tomb, indicating contact between Silla and Baekje in the later half of the 5th century.
The vessels were made of gold and silver, gold and bronze alloying, and gold and bronze. In addition, pots with four corners and Korean traditional caldrons made of cast iron were inscribed with delicate engraving that showed relations with Goguryeo at the time. A bronze tripod pouring vessel is possibly of Chinese import.[3] The working class of the time were unlikely to have used metal vessels and these vessels indicate the high quality of life of the Silla ruling class.
Weapons found included gold and silver swords and gold and bronze helmets and armor.
A
The golden crown found in this tomb is notable for its intricate open metal-work inner cap containing images of bird wings, which is symbolic of shamanistic practices.[3] The ornamentation of the crown is simple and balanced and features heart, fish scales, and diamond T shapes. A diadem ornament features an image of a bird about to fly. On the wings of the crown, a dragon pattern is engraved.
See also
- History of Korea
- Korean sword
- Korean art
- Crown of Silla
References
- Francis, Peter. (2002), Asia's maritime bead trade: 300 B.C. to the present, University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0-8248-2332-X
- Nelson, Sarah M., (1993) The archaeology of Korea, Cambridge world archaeology World Archaeology Series Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-40783-4
- Rutt, Richard; Hoare, James. (1999) Korea: a historical and cultural dictionary. , Durham East-Asia series. Routledge. ISBN 0-7007-0464-7