Haenam-gun Hyeonsan-myeon, Excavation Survey of Honam's Largest Mahan Tumuli Cluster

110 Yeogeoi Eupho Burial Mounds, Mahan's Leader, Confirmation of the Shinmi Empire (新彌諸國) Identity

An explanatory briefing on the excavation site of Eupho Ancient Tomb is being held. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Through the excavation survey of the burial mound cluster in Eupho-ri, Hyeonsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, the largest Mahan and Baekje burial mound cluster in Honam has been excavated and investigated.

According to the county on the 30th, an emergency excavation survey was conducted in some areas since July to prevent damage to the Eupho burial mound cluster located in Eupho-ri, Hyeonsan-myeon. On the 28th, a field briefing was held with the Cultural Heritage Administration advisory committee.

The Eupho-ri burial mound cluster is a large-scale tomb site extending approximately 3 km (about 1.4 million square meters) in a straight line, including the recently surveyed Eupho burial mound area and the previously reported Godam burial mound area.

It is the largest burial mound cluster discovered in the Haenam Peninsula and Jeolla-do region, with mound construction confirmed to have taken place from around the mid-5th century, corresponding to the early Mahan period, until the late 6th century.

In particular, the fact that nearly 110 burial traces were visually confirmed indicates that the Eupho-ri area in Hyeonsan-myeon is concrete evidence revealing it as a core region related to Sinmi State (新彌國), the representative power of the Sinmi Empire (新彌諸國) of Mahan, which grew centered on the Haenam Peninsula.

The Haenam Peninsula, which held an important geopolitical position in the Northeast Asian international exchange and trade network connecting China, the Korean Peninsula, and the Japanese archipelago, was the site that preserved the history and culture of Mahan until the very end.

Haenam is presumed to have been the stronghold of the Sinmi Empire (Sinunsinguk, Chimdirye), which became the hegemon of Mahan after the decline of Mokji State in the mid-3rd century.

The main evidence presented includes the similarity of the name Chimyeong-hyeon during the Unified Silla period (currently Hyeonsan-myeon, Haenam) and its proximity to Gohaejin, which Baekje occupied before attacking Chimdirye.

This Eupho-ri burial mound cluster excavation confirmed the existence of the Haenam Peninsula Mahan power, which even conducted separate diplomatic policies with China, providing valuable clues to its status and identity.

The burial mound cluster excavated this time is also attracting attention as an important site that can reveal the transformation process of the central power of Mahan.

In the first excavation survey conducted in some areas of the Eupho-ri burial mound cluster, it was confirmed to be a collective cemetery, and among the 10 initially exposed burial mounds, six Baekje Sabi period stone chamber tombs were investigated.

The stone chambers, of the Baekje Sabi type, clearly show changes in the Sabi period stone chambers, from characteristics before the early 6th century, typical structures of the mid-6th century, to degenerated stone chambers after the mid-6th century.

Before the early 6th century, the chambers were constructed with a narrowing wall method (穹?形) where the upper part of the wall stones was built, while after the mid-6th century, large flat stones were erected on the front wall at the bottom of the stone chamber.

Near the Eupho-ri burial mound cluster, there are also scattered sites such as the Gungok-ri shell mound (Historic Site No. 449), Wolsong-ri Josan burial mound (Jeollanam-do Monument No. 86), Baekbang Mountain Fortress, and Ilpyeong-ri fortress site, suggesting that this area was likely a center of ancient power for nearly 600 years from around the beginning of the Common Era.

This excavation was conducted urgently in some areas due to ongoing damage to the burial mound cluster, and the county plans to enhance the historical status of the Haenam Peninsula Mahan power through continuous excavation surveys and preservation measures.

County Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan stated, “The dense distribution of numerous Mahan-related cultural assets in the Haenam Peninsula, including the Eupho-ri burial mound cluster, is valuable evidence confirming Haenam as a key maritime cultural hub and center of Mahan during that period. Given the extensive range of the burial mound cluster and the high risk of damage from looting and vandalism, we urgently plan to establish continuous academic excavation surveys and preservation measures. We will trace the full scope of Mahan to elevate its historical status and utilize it as a venue for public historical education.”

Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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