The 5th century tomb attracted the attention of archaeologists because of the large number of buried artifacts that revealed the noble status of the dead.
Yellow-bordered beetle found in a tomb in Gyeongju. Photo: GNRICH.
Researchers discovered many luxury jewelry, including copper-plated crowns, gold pendants and earrings, chest accessories, gold and copper bracelets, and gold-trimmed beetles last month in Shilla period tomb number 44 in the Jjoksaem area of Gyeongju city, North Gyeongsang province, in November 2020. In addition, the tomb also contained a pestle, a stone mortar and 200 Go pieces.
According to estimates, the tomb was built around the end of the 5th century in the style of a wooden chamber with stone columns. The tomb has a diameter of 30 m, is of average size, but the size of the stone mound is about 992 tons, equivalent to the Shilla tombs for kings, proving that the owner of the tomb had a high status. Excavation work on the tomb has lasted since 2014, but recently discovered jewelry provides more information about the person in the tomb.
“The height of the deceased is estimated to be about 150 cm. The small size of the bronze-plated crown and many other accessories reveal that it is a woman. This person also carries a silver knife instead of the usual jeweled dagger found in the king’s tomb, further proves the above statement,” said a member of the Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute. Researchers speculate that the owner of the tomb may have been a princess or a descendant of the royal family, so he was buried with such valuable treasure.
The design of the chest accessory consists of many chains of gold and silver beads interwoven with indigo glass beads, similar to those of the tombs of high-class people of the time, such as Hwangnamdaechong (Hwangnam Tomb) and Cheonmachong (Thien Ma tomb).
One of the unique artifacts found in the tomb were gold-rimmed beetles used to decorate the dead. Located in a chest placed above the dead man’s head, the beetle’s wings are teardrop-shaped and fixed by a plated frame on the front and back. The shape and size of the accessories are very unique compared to artifacts found in other ancient Shilla tombs. The research team believes that the yellow-bordered beetle may be an ornament on a horse’s saddle.
A stone pestle and mortar were also in the chest that could be related to medicine. Below the dead man’s feet are 200 small black, white and gray Go pieces. In the past, Go was an entertaining game only for the highest classes in society.
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