Gaya Tumuli, Challenge for UNESCO World Heritage Listing (Comprehensive)

Cultural Heritage Administration Selects 7 Gaya Tumuli Sites for Registration Application
Including Gimhae Daeseongdong Tumuli, Haman Malsan Tumuli, Hapcheon Okjeon Tumuli
Unique Evidence Demonstrating Horizontal Relationships Among Multiple Individual Regional Polities

Haman Maliyasan Tumuli Cluster

The Gaya Tumuli are challenging for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

On the 10th, the Cultural Heritage Administration selected the 'Gaya Tumuli' as the candidate for UNESCO World Heritage inscription this year at the World Heritage Subcommittee meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee. Seven related sites will be combined and the application will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre by January next year. These include Gimhae Daeseong-dong Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 341), Haman Malsisan Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 515), Hapcheon Okjeon Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 326), Goryeong Jisandong Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 79), Goseong Songhakdong Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 119), Namwon Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 542), and Changnyeong Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli Cluster (Historic Site No. 514). The decision on inscription will be made at the 46th World Heritage Committee in 2022.

Goseong Songhakdong Tumuli Cluster

The geographical distribution, location, burial styles, and grave goods of the 'Gaya Tumuli' are unique evidence demonstrating the Gaya civilization. They show a new type of ancient civilization that coexisted with a centralized ancient state while maintaining a unique political system of a confederacy. From the 1st to 6th centuries, multiple individual regional polities such as Geumgwan Gaya and Daegaya recognized each other's autonomy and formed horizontal relationships.

The seven tumuli clusters of the highest ruling class are distributed separately by independent basins. Each was constructed on hills with excellent visibility. The unity and cohesion of the Gaya people are confirmed by the homogeneity seen in the flat burial chamber types of stone coffins, the construction methods of burial mounds, and the composition of pottery types included as grave goods. Burial styles and pottery forms showing regional characteristics by polity, prestigious goods of comparable quality, and trade goods indicating autonomous negotiation relationships demonstrate that each polity had autonomy and maintained horizontal relations.

Namwon Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Burial Mounds

The 'Gaya Tumuli' generally retain their structure and materials well. Archaeological excavations have confirmed their forms, mound construction techniques, and materials. Numerous grave goods such as pottery and ironware have been discovered, supporting the historicity and authenticity of the tumuli. Although the surrounding environment has changed due to sea level changes and urbanization, the locational and topographical features, which are criteria for the heritage's value, have been well preserved.

The Gaya Tumuli Promotion Team stated, "The essential archaeological remains and evidence are in good condition," and added, "The heritage area includes not only the tumuli but also the hills and valleys where the tumuli are located, sufficiently showing the landscape and spatial characteristics as well as the heritage formation process." They also said, "Based on the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, the sites are strictly protected, so there is almost no possibility of negative impacts."

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