Emergence of Yeongcheon's Largest 'Leader's Tomb'... The Region's Biggest Ancient Tombs from the Three Kingdoms Period

"Yeongcheon Wansan-dong Ancient Tombs Area 3 Maintenance Project Site"
Expert Review Meeting and Public Briefing Held on September 25

Yeongcheon City (Mayor Choi Kimoon) announced on September 25 that it is conducting an excavation survey of Burial Mound No. 1 in Area 3 of the Wansan-dong Ancient Tombs in Yeongcheon, in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Administration (Administrator Heo Min) and the Geirim Cultural Heritage Research Institute (Director Choi Sangtae), with the aim of maintaining and restoring the site.

As important relics, including three stone mound wooden chamber tombs, a gilt-bronze crown, earrings, necklaces, and belts, were unearthed from the burial mound, a briefing session was held at 1:30 p.m. on September 25 to present the results of the excavation and the discovered artifacts.

Excavation Site

The Wansan-dong Ancient Tombs in Yeongcheon are known in academic circles as the largest group of ancient tombs from the Three Kingdoms period in the Yeongcheon region.

The site is considered comparable to the Gumsungsan Ancient Tombs in Uiseong and the Imdang-ri Ancient Tombs in Gyeongsan.

This is because it is presumed to be the central burial site of the Golbeol State in Yeongcheon, along with the Somun State in Uiseong and the Apdok State in Gyeongsan.

The site being unveiled this time, 'Yeongcheon Wansan-dong Ancient Tombs III (Area 3) Maintenance Project Site,' includes three stone mound wooden chamber tombs (Jeokseokmokgwakbun) and two jar burials (Ongwanmyo) that have been identified within a burial mound with a remaining diameter of about 16 meters.

The largest of these, Stone Mound Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1, features a main wooden chamber and subsidiary chambers arranged in a '凸' shape above ground, with broken stones and river stones packed around and above the chambers.

From the main chamber of Tomb No. 1, a gilt-bronze crown, thick gold hoop earrings, a glass bead necklace, a silver belt, and a silver-handled ring-pommel sword were unearthed. From the subsidiary chambers, gilt-bronze horse harnesses, iron artifacts, and numerous earthenware pieces were also discovered.

Stone Mound Wooden Chamber Tombs No. 2 and No. 3 were constructed as additions to the burial mound of Tomb No. 1, with Tomb No. 2 also having a '凸' shape and Tomb No. 3 being rectangular.

Both tombs yielded numerous iron weapons and earthenware artifacts. In addition, one wooden chamber tomb (Mokgwakmyo), two jar burials (Ongwanmyo), and one stone chamber tomb are currently being studied.

This is the first large stone mound wooden chamber tomb to be excavated in the Yeongcheon region. Based on its structure and the artifacts discovered, it has been identified as the tomb of the highest-ranking leader of the Yeongcheon community, dating from the late 5th century to the early 6th century CE. The excavation team plans to conduct further detailed investigations to secure crucial data that will help illuminate the political and socio-cultural development of the Yeongcheon region alongside the rise of Silla.

Choi Kimoon, Mayor of Yeongcheon, stated, "As this is an important source of evidence showing the connection between the Silla central government and the Yeongcheon region, we will pursue systematic research and preservation in conjunction with the Cultural Heritage Administration's historical and cultural area maintenance project."

Yeongcheon City, together with the Cultural Heritage Administration, plans to further specify the excavation results through additional surveys. Based on these findings, the city will establish systematic plans for the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and utilization of the site. In addition, the city will continue proactive administration by regularly sharing the excavation results with citizens and relevant experts.

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