Pohang Beopgwangsa Site, 9th Excavation Survey ... Various Artifacts from the Unified Silla Period Discovered

Discovery of Foundation Structures and Floor Green Glaze Decorations from the Unified Silla Period

Various Artifacts from the Unified Silla Period Discovered in the 9th Excavation of Beopgwangsa Temple Site in Pohang.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Since the first excavation began in 2010, Pohang City has discovered relics and remains corresponding to the Unified Silla founding period through the 9th excavation of the ‘Pohang Beopgwangsa Site’ conducted up to this year. In particular, the excavation carried out this year uncovered the highly scholarly valuable foundation structure of the main hall and the green-glazed tile decorations on the floor.

The foundation is double-layered, with rectangular bricks stacked on the upper foundation, and the floor inside the main hall is paved with green-glazed tiles. Cases of green-glazed tile findings can be seen in the royal capitals and central temple sites built during the Unified Silla period, such as Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Site, Sacheonwangsa Site, and Bulguksa.

The Buddha statue was excavated without the head, but the total height including the pedestal is estimated to be over 460 cm, which is smaller than the 505 cm Buddha statue of Seokguram but still considered a large Buddha statue even in the royal capital.

Other artifacts excavated from the main hall include ▲about 160 Nabal (flame-shaped ornaments) attached to the Buddha’s head ▲gilt-bronze small pagoda ▲gilt-bronze standing Buddha statue ▲gilt-bronze guardian figure ▲incense burner, water bottle, and numerous other relics.

According to records, Beopgwangsa was founded by the monk Wonhyo under royal command during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla (579?632). The inscription on the three-story stone pagoda states that the pagoda was built in 828 and renovated in 846.

Pohang Beopgwangsa Temple Site, where over 3,000 artifacts including gilt-bronze inlaid plates, gilt-bronze ornaments, gwiyeomwa roof tiles, and maksae roof tiles were recovered.

Through more than ten years of excavation, Pohang City has confirmed about 50 building sites from the Unified Silla to Joseon periods, drainage channels formed according to soil and location, and stone retaining walls for the construction of the mountain temple complex. Over 3,000 artifacts, including gilt-bronze openwork plates, gilt-bronze decorations, demon-faced roof tiles, and end tiles, have been recovered, indicating a high level of architectural sophistication.

In 2023, the city is preparing to hold an academic conference to share the excavation results of the ‘Pohang Beopgwangsa Site’ to date and to discuss the original form of the Unified Silla founding period and future maintenance directions.

Experts in Buddhist archaeology and historic site preservation will be invited to gather opinions on the precise scope of the site corresponding to the Unified Silla founding period and the layout of the temple complex. Based on the expert opinions discussed at the conference, the city plans to accelerate the promotion of historic site maintenance and restoration projects in the future.

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