Haman-gun Selected as Candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Listing of 'Malisan Tumuli'

All Seven ‘Gaya Tumuli Groups’ in Gimhae, Hapcheon, and Goryeong Show Evidence of Gaya Civilization

Haman Maliyasan Tumuli. This site clearly demonstrates the existence and historicity of Aragayа. After on-site inspections by UNESCO advisory bodies (ICOMOS) next year, the decision on its registration will be made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee scheduled to be held in 2022. (Photo by Haman-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] The seven Gaya tumulus groups of the Six Gaya, shrouded in mystery, have been selected as candidates for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

On the 11th, Haman County in Gyeongnam announced that following the review by the World Heritage Subcommittee of the Cultural Heritage Committee at the National Palace Museum, it will promote the inscription of seven tumulus groups for UNESCO listing: Haman Malsisan Tumulus Group (Historic Site No. 515), Gimhae Daeseongdong Tumulus Group (Historic Site No. 341), Hapcheon Okjeon Tumulus Group (Historic Site No. 326), Goryeong Jisandong Tumulus Group (Historic Site No. 79), Goseong Songhakdong Tumulus Group (Historic Site No. 119), Changnyeong Gyodong and Songhyeondong Tumulus Groups (Historic Site No. 514), and Namwon Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Tumulus Groups (Historic Site No. 542).

The push for the ‘Gaya Tumulus Groups’ to be inscribed as a World Heritage site began in 2013 with Haman Malsisan, Gimhae Daeseongdong, and Goryeong Jisandong being listed on the tentative World Heritage list, but there were opinions that the heritage value was difficult to prove with only three tumulus groups.

Therefore, in 2018, the scope was expanded to include four tumulus groups such as Goseong Songhakdong and Hapcheon Okjeon, and in January last year, these seven tumulus groups were re-listed on the tentative World Heritage list, marking the start of full-scale promotion.

The ‘Gaya Tumulus Groups’ will submit a draft English version of the World Heritage nomination dossier by the end of September, followed by the official English nomination dossier by the end of January next year. After on-site inspections by UNESCO advisory bodies (ICOMOS) next year, the decision on inscription will be made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting scheduled for 2022.

A Haman County official said, “We are very pleased that the fruits of long-standing efforts by Haman County, along with 10 local governments and the Cultural Heritage Administration, are gradually appearing,” and added, “We will thoroughly restore and maintain the landscape of the tumulus groups in preparation for the on-site inspection by ICOMOS experts scheduled for 2021.”

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