Gold-Plated Shoes Discovered After 43 Years at Gyeongju Silla Tomb

Large Quantity of Artifacts from Late 5th to Early 6th Century Unearthed at Hwangnam-dong Tomb No. 120-2
Excavation of Main Burial Chamber at Tomb No. 120 Also Intensifies, "Expecting More Artifacts"

Gilt-bronze Shoes from Tomb No. 120-2 in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju

A pair of gilt-bronze shoes from the Silla period has been discovered in a Silla tomb in Gyeongju for the first time in 43 years.

On the 27th, the Cultural Heritage Administration and Gyeongju City announced that various artifacts, including a pair of gilt-bronze shoes made in the late 5th to early 6th century, a silver plate used as a belt ornament, and horse harness decorations, were unearthed during the investigation of Tomb No. 120 in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, as part of the restoration and maintenance project of the core relics of the Silla royal capital.

The gilt-bronze shoes were found on the 15th at the foot of the deceased buried in Tomb No. 120-2, located south of Tomb No. 120 in Hwangnam-dong. The surface featured a pierced 'T'-shaped pattern, and round gilt-bronze dalgae (ornaments made by stringing beads) were attached.

Aerial View of Gyeongju Hwangnam-dong Tomb No. 120 Area

This is the first time shoes have been found in a Silla tomb in Gyeongju since the investigation of the Inwang-dong tomb cluster in 1977, 43 years ago. These items were not used in daily life either. An official stated, "They were likely made for the ritual of sending off the deceased."

A silver plate used as a belt ornament was found near the legs of the deceased. Several gilt-bronze dalgae were visible on the head area. The official added, "We plan to investigate with the possibility in mind that these might be a crown or crown decorations worn on the head." In the burial chamber, various horse harness decorations including a gilt-bronze saddle bridge and gilt-bronze horsebit ornaments (Unju), as well as a bronze iron, an iron cauldron, and pottery were excavated.

Gilt-Bronze Horse Saddle Excavated from Tomb No. 120-2 in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju

Tomb No. 120 in Hwangnam-dong was numbered during the Japanese colonial period but was so damaged by residential development that its existence was barely recognizable. Therefore, the Cultural Heritage Administration and Gyeongju City began excavation in May 2018 to assess the remaining condition and extent. Last year, Tombs No. 120-1 and 120-2, located north and south of Tomb No. 120 respectively, were identified.

The mound of Tomb No. 120, which remains well-preserved, was constructed using masato (sand formed by weathering of granite). This is the first case among Gyeongju stone-cist tombs (jeokseok mokgwakmyo) where masato was used for construction. The size measures 26.1 meters northwest-southeast and 23.6 meters northeast-southwest. Tombs No. 120-1 and 120-2, located nearby, were created by cutting into part of the mound of Tomb No. 120. An official said, "They are presumed to be later tombs than Tomb No. 120." Iron cauldrons, glass beads, and pottery were found in Tomb No. 120-1.

Gilt-Bronze Horse Ornament Excavated from Tomb No. 120-2, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju

After completing the investigation of Tombs No. 120-1 and 120-2, the excavation team plans to excavate the main burial chamber of Tomb No. 120. An official said, "Since the mound is much larger than those of Tomb No. 120-1 or 120-2, we expect to find more artifacts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.