Gimhae National Museum

Site details

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.