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Silla-Era Commander’s Tomb With Rare Human and Horse Armor Unveiled in Gyeongju

Officials will open the site for a short public viewing during next week's APEC meetings.

Image
This composite photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service shows a set of horse armor and artifacts discovered at the Hwangnam-dong Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1, part of the ancient tomb complex in Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) located about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image provided by the Korea Heritage Service shows the recently discovered Hwangnam-dong Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1, part of the ancient tomb complex in Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) located about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This image provided by the Korea Heritage Service shows artifacts from the Hwangnam-dong Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1 in Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) located about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • South Korea’s heritage agency announced a late 4th–early 5th century outer-coffin tomb identified as that of a high-ranking Silla military commander about 30 years old.
  • Excavators recovered 165 artifacts, including a near-complete human armor set and only the second-known Silla horse armor, clarifying the kingdom’s heavy cavalry equipment.
  • The main chamber held the commander’s remains and weapons, and a side chamber contained a probable retainer’s skeleton interpreted as a sacrificial burial.
  • Fragments of a gilt-bronze crown may be among the earliest Silla examples and display Goguryeo-like motifs, suggesting early interregional artistic influence.
  • The Hwangnam-dong Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1 lies beneath a larger mound in the Daereungwon complex; selected finds and the site will be viewable Oct. 27–Nov. 1 as analysis and conservation continue.