Creation of the 'Baekje Tomb Cluster Historic Park' in Cheongyang, Chungnam

Aerial view of Chungnam Fire Complex Facility. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A ‘Baekje Tumuli Heritage Park’ will be established in Cheongyang, Chungnam.

According to Chungnam Province on the 3rd, the ‘(tentative name) Sajam-ri Baekje Tumuli Heritage Park’ will be created on a 1,875㎡ site within the Chungnam Fire Complex Facility project area.

Previously, from December last year to July this year, a detailed cultural heritage survey was conducted as a preliminary step for the construction of the Chungnam Fire Complex Facility, uncovering 4 Baekje tumuli, 188 relic structures, and 490 artifacts within the heritage park site.

Notably, among these were relics spanning eras, including stone spearheads presumed to be from the Paleolithic and Bronze Ages, earthen pit tombs from the Joseon Dynasty, and pit-type relic structures, which were recognized for their cultural preservation value.

Additionally, the Cultural Heritage Administration reported that 4 Baekje tumuli from the Three Kingdoms period were constructed using a rare and unique burial method, giving them high historical value, and proposed preserving and exhibiting them as on-site historical heritage.

In response, the province accepted the Cultural Heritage Administration’s opinion and plans to promote the heritage park project aiming for completion in the first half of next year.

For the 4 Baekje-era tumuli, protective facilities will be installed for exposed exhibition, and the surrounding large and small tombs will be filled with soil inside and outside to prevent damage.

Moreover, the burial mounds will be restored to allow confirmation of the original distribution pattern of the tombs at the time of excavation, and the entire tumulus area will be turned into a park with grass planting, walking paths, and installation of information boards.

The excavated artifacts will be displayed in an indoor exhibition hall to be established alongside the completion of the Chungnam Fire Complex Facility in 2024, and both the heritage park and exhibition hall will be fully opened to the public, aiming to become a comprehensive educational and cultural space integrating historical education.

Cho Seon-ho, head of the Chungnam Fire Headquarters, said, “The Chungnam Fire Complex Facility site will be the only case among domestic and international fire academies to have a historical heritage park,” adding, “We will ensure that after its establishment, the Chungnam Fire Complex Facility site becomes a landmark where people can learn about Chungnam’s history, culture, and safety.”

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