The construction process of Gyeongju Joksaem Tomb No. 44, presumed to be the grave of a young Silla royal woman (a princess), will be unveiled to the public. The National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute of the National Cultural Heritage Research Institute (under the National Heritage Administration) announced on the 22nd that it will hold the 'Gyeongju Joksaem Tomb No. 44 Construction Experiment Briefing' at the Joksaem Ruins Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, for three days, from October 30 to November 1, aligning with the period of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
Joksaem Tomb No. 44 is a large-scale tomb from the late 5th century, exhibiting the structure of a typical Silla tomb style, the Stone Mound-Wooden Coffin Tomb (Jeokseokmokgwakmyo). It is the first Silla tomb in Korea to be completely disassembled and investigated down to the burial pit (myogwang). The Institute has meticulously uncovered the entire construction process and techniques of the tomb through excavation and interdisciplinary research over approximately 10 years, from 2014 to 2023.
Despite the deceased being estimated as a teenage girl, Joksaem Tomb No. 44 was found with top-tier accessories, including a gilt-bronze crown, gold pendants, gold earrings, gold bracelets, and a silver belt. Notably, a total of approximately 800 diverse artifacts were unearthed, such as saddle flaps made of jewel beetle wings, baduk stones (Go game pieces), and a stone mortar and pestle, showcasing the lifestyle of the Silla royalty and their outstanding craft skills.
Based on these 10 years of excavation and research findings, the Institute has been conducting a construction experiment since last year, recreating the tomb using the original materials and techniques. This is a globally unique attempt in archaeological history, aiming to precisely define the tomb's structure, construction methods, required personnel, and duration at the time.
Currently, the construction experiment is at Stage 8 of the total 21 steps. This involves setting up the wooden structure, constructing parts of the double wooden chamber where the deceased and grave goods will be placed, and piling up stones (stone mound) around the structure.
The briefing sessions will be held without prior application, running every 30 minutes from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Curators and researchers who participated in the excavation will provide direct explanations. Visitors can hear explanations about the tomb's main facilities—the wooden chamber, wooden structure, and stone mound—as well as the tools used for construction, and view actual artifacts excavated from Tomb No. 44. Especially for the APEC period, English, Japanese, and Chinese interpretation will be provided to assist foreign visitors in understanding Silla culture.
The public unveiling of this construction experiment is highly anticipated as a valuable opportunity to glimpse the secrets of the Silla Stone Mound-Wooden Coffin Tomb and the essence of ancient architectural technology.
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