Excavation of Goheung Bongnim Burial Mounds Confirms Unique Regional Style

A New and Unique Form Where Diverse Cultures Coexist in One Ancient Tomb

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) recently announced that it has reconfirmed the unique burial culture of the Goheung region at the 'Goheung Bongnim-ri Bongnim Burial Mounds,' where recent survey and excavation were conducted.

This survey was carried out from July under the support of Jeollanam-do as part of the 'Mahan Relics Excavation Survey,' an ancient historical culture project, in accordance with the 'Special Act on the Maintenance of Historical and Cultural Areas.'

The investigation revealed three stone chamber tombs from the Three Kingdoms period and one stone coffin tomb from the Goryeo period. In the case of the stone chamber tombs, similarities were found in scale and construction methods with the recently surveyed Bongryong and Seo-ochi burial mounds located in Dohwa-myeon.

The Bongnim Burial Mounds represent a newly identified burial style in the Goheung area and are the first confirmed example of a cluster burial group where multiple tombs are gathered. The burial mound shows a unique form where various cultures coexist in one tomb, including the construction style of the burial chamber, the stone encircling the mound (hoseok), and the form of the jipseok mound, where stones are neatly stacked from the periphery to the center. This suggests that there was a distinct cultural sphere in the Goheung area.

Meanwhile, artifacts such as pottery and jars were excavated from inside the stone chamber, the burial chamber of the tomb, and the construction period is estimated to be the late 6th century.

It is expected that this will provide new archaeological data on the construction techniques and dating of burial mounds in the Goheung region.

Choi In-seon, head of the excavation team and a representative of Suncheon National University Museum, who conducted the excavation, said, "Based on the excavation results of the Goheung Bongryong and Seo-ochi burial mounds as well as the Bongnim-ri burial mounds, we will be able to shed light on the ancient cultural aspects of Goheung-gun, which show a unique regional style." He added, "During the current survey around the burial mounds, three new burial mound clusters were discovered, indicating the need for additional investigations in the surrounding areas."

A Goheung-gun official stated, "The results of this excavation provide valuable data that can reveal the unique burial culture forms and external exchange patterns of the Goheung region," and added, "We will establish further academic research plans to uncover the ancient cultural aspects of the region."

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr

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