Gaya Culture Route

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1. 1

   Heritage site

   Jisan-dong Tumuli, Goryeong

   San 23-1, Jisan-ri, Daegaya-eup, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, Daegaya Museum

   The Goryeong Jisandong Ancient Tumuli is a collection of tombs from the Gaya period of the Three Kingdoms era, located in Goryeong County, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Designated as Historic Site No. 79 in 1963, a total of 704 tombs have been identified. In the Goryeong area, burial mounds are generally concentrated in each township unit, with the Jisandong Tumuli serving as the central burial site. Numerous artifacts, including pottery, gilt-bronze crowns, armor, helmets, long swords, and decorative items, have been excavated, suggesting that these tombs date back to the 4th to 6th centuries and belonged to the ruling class of Daegaya. Based on the excavated data, the largest and highest-ranking tombs in the Jisandong Tumuli are Tomb No. 44 and Tomb No. 45. Each burial mound features both a main and subsidiary chamber placed side by side in a pit-style stone chamber tomb, with the principal individual buried in the main chamber. Surrounding these were pit-style stone-lined tombs for individuals related to the principal person, who were buried as sacrificial victims. The presence of these sacrificial victims suggests that the occupant of these large tombs was a king of Daegaya before the end of the 5th century. Although most of the burial goods have been looted, a significant amount of pottery, along with gold earrings, a sword-shaped horse belt decoration, and various weapons including helmets, have been excavated. Notably, the luminous shell artifact, originally from Okinawa, serves as valuable evidence of Daegaya's long-distance trade activities. The excavation data of the core forces of Daegaya is crucial for the study of Gaya history. In September 2023, along with seven other tomb groups in the Gaya cultural area, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site under the name “Gaya Tumuli.”

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2. 2

   Heritage site

   Songhakdong Tumuli , Goseong

   470, Songhak-ri, Goseong-eup, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, Goseong Museum

   The Songhakdong Ancient Tumuli in Goseong is a cluster of approximately seven tombs from the Gaya period, located in the Mugisan area north of Goseong-eup. This site is known as the old grounds of Sogaya in Goseong County. All the mounds were artificially constructed using a technique that involved compacting layers of soil on leveled ground, indicating the use of sophisticated earthwork methods. Artifacts such as pottery, gilt-bronze earrings, horse trappings, a large gilt-bronze decorated sword, a tall bronze cup, and glass beads have been unearthed. These tombs, believed to have been built between the late 5th and early 6th centuries, are considered central burial sites of Sogaya, likely belonging to the ruling class or royal family, reflecting the characteristics of Sogaya royal tombs. On September 24, 2023, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Songhak-dong Tumuli, along with six other Gaya Tumuli (in Goseong, Goryeong, Gimhae, Haman, Changnyeong, Hapcheon, and Namwon), were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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3. 3

   Heritage site

   Gimhae National Museum

   190, Gaya-eui-gil, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, National Gimhae Museum

   The National Gimhae Museum is an archaeology-focused museum established in 1998 to research and promote the cultural heritage of the Gaya region. It is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the history and culture of Gaya, making it a specialized museum for Gaya history in South Korea. The museum houses a comprehensive collection of artifacts from the prehistoric era, the Byeonhan confederation, and early Gaya, especially showcasing relics from Geumgwan Gaya. The exhibition halls are spread across two floors. The first floor, themed "The Path to Gaya," features artifacts that highlight the prehistoric culture of the lower Nakdong River basin, the dawn of Gaya, and the establishment and development of Gaya. The second floor, themed "The Lives of Gaya People," displays the soft and beautiful pottery of Gaya, such as wheel-shaped pottery and pedestal dishes, as well as Iron Age artifacts like armor and helmets. Additionally, it exhibits maritime trade artifacts from the Gaya period, including boat-shaped pottery and bronze tripods, illustrating the active sea trade during that era. The museum offers an insightful view of Gaya's cultural artifacts and their uses, providing a space to learn and experience the history and cultural significance of Gaya's formation and development.

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4. 4

   Heritage site

   Daeseong-dong Tumuli, Gimhae

   126, Gaya-eui-gil, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, Daeseong-dong Tomb Museum

   The Daeseong-dong Tombs in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, are a burial site from the Geumgwan Gaya period, dating back to the 3rd to 5th centuries. These tombs were discovered when some of the remains were exposed during plowing. Consequently, two excavation surveys were conducted rapidly between 1990 and April 1991. The first survey uncovered two royal tombs from the late 4th to early 5th century of Geumgwan Gaya. The second survey revealed 37 various tombs, including many royal tombs from the late 3rd to early 5th century, providing valuable data for reconstructing the history around the 4th century, a period previously left blank in Korean ancient history. The pit-style wooden plank coffins mark a transition from using log coffins to wooden plank coffins around the 1st century. Artifacts unearthed include pottery, ironware, wooden items, and Chinese mirrors. These finds illustrate the changes in ancient Korean tomb styles and highlight the cultural exchangesAMong Korea, China, and Japan, making them highly significant.

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5. 5

   Heritage site

   Tomb of King Suro, Gimhae

   26, Wangneung-gil, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Ticket Office, Royal Tomb of King Suro

   The Royal Tomb of King Suro in Gimhae, also known as “Napneung,” is the burial site of King Suro (reigned 42-199 AD), the founder of the Garak Kingdom (Geumgwan Gaya) and the progenitor of the Gimhae Kim clan. King Suro ascended the throne in 42 AD and in 48 AD married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian kingdom of Ayuta. The tomb is a circular earthen mound, initially devoid of additional structures. However, starting from the late Joseon Dynasty, several buildings were erected around it. In 1580, during the 13th year of King Seonjo's reign, Heo Yeop, the governor of Gyeongsang Province, renovated the tomb to its current form. Within the tomb's precincts, there are various structures, including Sungseonjeon, which enshrines the spirit tablets of King Suro and Queen Heo, as well as Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong, Jegigo, and several stone monuments such as a shrine stele and a memorial stele.

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6. 6

   Heritage site

   Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Tumuli, Namwon

   San 746-1, Yugok-ri, Inwol-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do

   Stamp: In front of the entrance of the Tumuli Promotion Hall (49-6, Seongnae-gil, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do)

   The ancient tomb site located between Seongnae Village in Yugok-ri, Dong-myeon, and Durak-ri Village in Ayong-myeon, Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, represents the northwestern inland extents of the Gaya confederacy. These tombs highlight the maximum territorial reach of the Gaya confederacy and its autonomous diplomatic interactions with Baekje. The exact internal structure of the stone chambers within these tombs has not yet been investigated. However, it is assumed that the Durak-ri area contains stone-lined tombs and jar burials. These stone-lined tombs, estimated to date from the 5th to 6th centuries, have yielded long-necked jars known as "janggyeongho," high-stemmed cups called "gobae," and iron objects such as sickles, spears, and horse trappings. Artifacts such as Chinese bronze mirrors, Baekje-style gilt-bronze shoes, necklaces, and glass beads found in the tombs closely resemble items from Baekje royal tombs, indicating autonomous diplomatic relations between Gaya and Baekje.

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7. 7

   Heritage site

   Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli, Changnyeong

   124, Gyori, Changnyeong-eup, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, Changnyeong Museum

   Changnyeong, historically known as Bisabeol, was one of the 12 countries of Jinhan mentioned in the "Samguk Sagi." The "Changnyeong Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli" refer to the burial mounds located in Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong of Changnyeong-gun. The Songhyeon-dong area originally had around 80 large and small tombs, but many were plundered during the Japanese colonial period or converted into rice fields, leaving only 16 tombs today. The tombs follow the Gaya period style, indicating that the Changnyeong area was once part of the Gaya territory. Artifacts excavated from the Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli include gilt-bronze crowns, gold and silver jewelry, silver crown ornaments, gilt-bronze headdresses, gold earrings, various horse trappings, decorative weapons, scale armor, and various iron weapons. Agricultural tools like U-shaped plow blades, metal containers, and diverse pottery and wooden items have also been found. Most of these artifacts closely resemble those excavated in Gyeongju, the capital of Silla, suggesting that these tombs date back to the 5th to early 6th centuries.

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8. 8

   Heritage site

   Mari-san Tumuli, Haman

   153-31, Gobun-gil, Gaya-eup, Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Exhibition Hall, Haman Mari-san Tumuli

   The Haman Mari-san Tumuli is one of the largest burial sites from the Gaya period. The tumuli are lined along the central ridge and its subsidiary ridges, creating an awe-inspiring sight described as a "mountain on the mountain." In 2011, two separate tumuli clusters (Dohang-ri Tumuli and Malsan-ri Tumuli) were combined under the name "Mari-san Tumuli." The Mari-san burial mounds consist of large mounds on the main ridge running north-south and on the gently sloping western ridges, as well as medium and small mounds on the slopes. These tombs provide a glimpse into the splendor of the ruling class through gold and silver ornaments and reflect the international exchanges of the Ara Gaya during its peak in the 5th to early 6th centuries. The flame-patterned pottery found here, symbolic of Ara Gaya, showcases the advanced culture of Ara Gaya, known as the "Kingdom of Iron." Notably, the 2018 excavation of Tomb No. 13 revealed a cover stone with engraved constellations, the first of its kind found in a Gaya tomb. This discovery offers valuable insights into the astronomical beliefs of the Gaya people.

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9. 9

   Heritage site

   Okjeon Tumuli, Hapcheon

   San 29-1, Seongsan-ri, Ssangchaek-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk, Hapcheon Museum

   The Okjeon Tumuli, located in Okjeon Village, Seongsan-ri, Ssangchaek-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, is a Gaya burial site that contains artifacts from the tombs of the highest-ranking leaders. Situated on a hill along the Hwanggang River, a tributary of the Nakdong River, the Okjeon Tumuli is estimated to have around 1,000 tombs, with 18 large tombs (20-30 meters in diameter) concentrated in one area. Excavations have revealed various types of tombs, including wooden chamber tombs, pit-style stone-lined tombs, pit-style stone chamber tombs with front openings, and corridor-style stone chamber tombs. Numerous artifacts have been discovered, including pottery, iron weapons, armor, horse trappings, and ornaments, suggesting these are the tombs of Gaya rulers. Items such as iron armor, gilt-bronze helmets, and iron horse helmets have been unearthed, reinforcing this assumption. These findings are invaluable for understanding Gaya culture and are significant for their connections to Goguryeo culture, such as the helmets found in Chongori Fortress in Pyeonganbuk-do. The Okjeon Tumuli provide essential insights into the burial culture of ancient Korea and its ties to Goguryeo, as well as offering crucial data for studying the political landscape of the Three Kingdoms period and East Asian cultures, including Japan. Photo Credit: Hapcheon Cultural Tourism

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