Investigation of the First Stone Chamber Tomb in Gyeongju Choksaem Site.. "Space for Burial and Grave Goods Confirmed"

[Financial News] The National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and Art History at Dongguk University Wise Campus, announced on the 29th that they have investigated the K91 tomb in Choksaem District, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and it is presumed that the bodies were placed five times.
A stone chamber tomb refers to a tomb with a chamber made using stone slabs or broken stones and equipped with entrance facilities. The K91 tomb, estimated to have been constructed in the mid to late 6th century during the Silla period, is the first stone chamber tomb identified among the approximately 1300 tombs in the Choksaem District.
Even when considering the entire Daereungwon area, there are only seven stone chamber tombs, making them highly valuable for research. Since 2023, the institute has been investigating the tomb, including the tomb chamber, entrance, and the passage leading to the burial chamber, and recently focused on confirming the corpse support (尸床).
As a result, five spaces for placing bodies and grave goods were identified inside the tomb chamber. The tomb chamber was constructed by stacking walls with broken stones, measuring 2.9m in length and 2.3m in width.
Near the northern wall, the innermost part of the chamber, a support measuring 76cm in width and 15cm in height was made, on which a body wearing a pair of gold earrings is presumed to have been placed first.
Nearby, long iron plates with barbs on the edges, iron sickles, and other items were unearthed. The tomb chamber floor, except for the corpse support, was covered with gravel.
Subsequently, it appears that additional bodies were placed in the K91 tomb. Supports measuring 31cm in height, 78cm in width, and 79cm in width were made, and bodies and grave goods were placed, with evidence of the passage being expanded as space became limited.
Gold-plated belt decorations, iron hand knives, and iron axes were also unearthed, but they were found in a disordered state due to multiple burials.
The institute believes that the final, fifth burial was different from previous ones, with a long burial space created in a north-south direction for placing bodies and grave goods such as pottery with a footed dish.
In particular, the institute is focusing on the form and structure of the stone chamber tomb. The passage, which is offset to the right based on the southern wall of the tomb chamber, was found to have a floor that rises from inside to outside, with gravel covering the entire floor.
Additionally, the institute also examined the J230 tomb, which has a wooden chamber tomb form, in this investigation.
A wooden chamber tomb, previously known as a wooden coffin tomb (木槨墓), refers to a tomb where a wooden chamber is made, and bodies and grave goods are placed inside. The investigation revealed that the tomb was made by digging a pit, constructing a wooden chamber measuring 3.4m in length and 0.8m in width, and filling the space between the pit and the wooden chamber with stones.
Inside, bodies, along with iron spears, large jars, and cup-shaped pottery, were unearthed. Based on the types and forms of artifacts, it is estimated to be a tomb from the late 4th century.
The institute plans to unveil the achievements and major artifacts at the excavation site at 3 PM on the 30th.


rsunjun@fnnews.com Yuseonjun Reporter