Yeongam Sijong Tumuli Designated as National Historic Site

Academic Value of Ancient Mahan Culture Recognized
Tombs Believed to Belong to Ruling Class from 5th to 6th Century
Evidence of Unique Culture and External Exchanges

Excavated artifacts from Yeongam Sijong Tumuli. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province announced on July 7 that the Yeongam Sijong Tumuli, located in Okya-ri and Naedong-ri, Sijong-myeon, Yeongam, have been designated as a National Historic Site.

The Yeongam Sijong Tumuli date from the late 5th century to the early 6th century. The site consists of the Okya-ri Jangdong Bangdae-type tomb and the Naedong-ri twin tombs. The total designated area covers eight parcels of land, amounting to 13,065 square meters.

The site is highly regarded for its historical and academic value, as it vividly illustrates the social and cultural changes of the Mahan traditional communities in the Yeongsan River basin through the construction and building techniques of the tumuli.

In particular, its location at a key point between the West Sea and inland routes provided the local power, which was one of the Mahan small states, with the background to develop a unique culture and maintain its own independent influence while interacting with the central Baekje authority.

The emergence of large tumuli in the Yeongsan River basin began with the Okya-ri Jangdong Bangdae-type tomb in the mid-5th century and continued with the Naedong-ri twin tombs. This transition from the traditional Mahan jar coffin tombs to massive Bangdae-type mound stone chamber and stone room tombs demonstrates a significant change. It reflects the advancement of large-scale mound construction techniques and indicates a high level of civil engineering for the time, as the structures were systematically designed.

Artifacts excavated from the site, such as gilt-bronze crown ornaments, pottery styles prevalent in the Yeongsan River basin, localized foreign artifacts, and cylindrical pottery and animal-shaped clay objects used as outer mound decorations, show that the Mahan powers maintained their independence and cultural identity during exchanges with neighboring states.

Kang Hyoseok, Director of the Culture Promotion Bureau of Jeonnam Province, stated, "The Yeongam Sijong Tumuli represent a unique burial culture that blends traditional Mahan elements with those of Baekje, Gaya, China, and Wa. It serves as an important clue for clarifying the history of cultural exchanges in ancient East Asia."

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