Ancient Armor from the Late Three Kingdoms Period Gathered Together for the First Time

National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute and National Gyeongju Museum Special Exhibition 'Mal, Wearing Armor'

Horse Armor Excavated from Mail Armor, Left and Right Sides

Horse armor from the late periods of Silla, Gaya, and Baekje, as well as horse armor depicted in Goguryeo tomb murals, will be gathered together for the first time, showcasing the horse armor of the ancient Three Kingdoms.

The National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute and the National Gyeongju Museum will hold a special exhibition titled "Horses, Wearing Armor" at the National Gyeongju Museum's special exhibition hall from the 12th of this month until August 23. The exhibition will display eighteen pieces, including horse armor excavated from the Haman Magap Tomb in 1992, horse armor from the Gyeongju Jjoksaem District C10 site discovered in 2009, six horse armor pieces found in fragmented condition at Gyeongju Gyerim-ro No. 1, and ten horse helmets.

Horse Armor Excavated from Gyeongju Jjoksaem District C10?

The most eye-catching artifacts are the horse armor from the Magap Tomb and the horse armor from the Gyeongju Jjoksaem District C10 site. Since the first discovery of horse armor in 1934 at Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, these are the first to be found in a complete form. They are regarded as providing a starting point for the study of ancient Three Kingdoms horse armor.

The exhibition is divided into three parts. Part 1, "The Resting Place of Silla Nobles, Jjoksaem District," introduces the C10 site of Gyeongju Jjoksaem District and displays horse armor that has undergone ten years of preservation treatment along with replicas. Horse armor excavated from Hwangnam-dong No. 109 in 1934 and Gyerim-ro No. 1 in 1973 will also be shown to the public for the first time.

Horse Helmet and Lacquered Horse Armor Excavated from Gongsanseong Fortress

Part 2, "Horse Armor of Gaya and Baekje," exhibits Gaya’s horse armor, boasting the largest quantity in East Asia. It features the horse helmet and left and right horse armor from the Haman Magap Tomb, as well as horse armor unearthed from Busan, Gimhae, Hapcheon, and other locations. Visitors can also see the lacquered leather horse armor and horse helmet from Gongju Gongsanseong, which have attracted attention.

Part 3, "Heavy Cavalrymen in Goguryeo Tomb Murals," allows visitors to observe various depictions of ancient heavy cavalrymen reflected in Goguryeo tomb murals.

Horse Helmet and Lacquered Horse Armor Excavated from Gongsanseong Fortress

The exhibition operates on an online advance reservation system. On-site registration will also be accepted for about 300 people. An official stated, "To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will enforce mask-wearing, temperature checks, maintaining safe distances, and restrictions on group visitors’ entry."

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