Hapcheon-gun, Samga Ancient Tombs National Historic Site Designation Commemoration Ceremony

by Choi Sungkyung

Published 15 Dec.2021 03:46(KST)

Updated 10 Aug.2025 20:57(KST)

Another Gaya Discovered Underground, Hapcheon Samga Burial Mounds

Samga Burial Mounds <span>[Image source=Hapcheon-gun]</span>

Samga Burial Mounds [Image source=Hapcheon-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam announced on the 15th that it held an event commemorating the designation of Samga Burial Mounds as a national historic site at the Samga High School indoor gymnasium.

The Samga Burial Mounds are the largest burial mound group in the inland area of Gyeongnam and, along with the Okjeon Burial Mounds, which are being considered for World Heritage registration, represent the Gaya tomb heritage of Hapcheon. Designated as a cultural asset of Gyeongnam Province in 1974, it was recognized for its value after 47 years and was designated as a nationally designated cultural asset and historic site on the 24th of last month.

The Samga Burial Mounds are a group of tombs of a power that grew based on cultural exchanges through the Namgang River from the 1st to the 7th century. Through the remains and artifacts, they clearly show the entire process of establishment, growth, development, and extinction of the Gaya political entity that existed in the Samga-myeon area of Hapcheon. The unique tomb structure of Samga-style burial mounds was also confirmed.

Additionally, it is a site of very high historical and academic value where the cultural exchanges and development patterns of various lineages such as Sogaya, Daegaya, Aragaya, Silla, and Baekje regions can be compared. The shark bones found here are evaluated as important materials that provide insight into the dietary culture and ritual culture of the time.

County Governor Moon Jun-hee stated, “We will continue to cooperate and communicate steadily with the Cultural Heritage Administration and Gyeongsangnam-do for the systematic preservation and management of another Gaya found underground, the Hapcheon Samga Burial Mounds, and utilize it as a historical and cultural tourism resource. Furthermore, through this commemorative event, we aim to use it as a stepping stone to newly highlight the Gaya history of our hometown, which has been overlooked and forgotten,” he said.