Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Tomb of King Heungdeok, the 42nd monarch (r. 826-836) of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―935 A.D), nestled in the outskirts of Angang Township in Gyeongju. The tomb contains some masterpieces, including 12 zodiac figures carved on stone panels that encircle the mound. The area surrounding the tomb has also yielded a wealth of cultural artifacts, such as a stone tablet that was placed on a tortoise that provides valuable insights into the ancient history and culture of Silla.
Remarkably, the distinct exotic facial features and styles of the stone warriors at the entrance of King Heungdeok's tomb suggest a cultural exchange between Silla and the Middle East through the Silk Road. This highlights the kingdom's openness to other cultures and emphasizes the significance of cultural exchange and understanding between civilizations. It underscores the importance of embracing diversity and cultivating cross-cultural relationships.
In 1957, a culturally invaluable artifact in the form of a stone tablet inscribed with the writings of King Heungdeok was unearthed by Choe Nam-ju, a pioneer of Korean archaeology. The discovery of this artifact was a major breakthrough for the field of archaeology, as it offered invaluable insights into identifying the occupant of a tomb and shedding light on a forgotten past. In recognition of its historical significance, the stone tablet was donated to Yonsei University Library in Seoul for better preservation purposes, following a strong recommendation by Min Yeong-kyu, a professor of history at that university, soon after it was discovered.
At that time, there was no law for the protection of cultural property. The stone tablet of King Heungdeok was preserved and displayed at the library in good condition until the establishment of the University Museum in 1965. The tablet's donation to Yonsei University Library ensures its long-term preservation and accessibility to future generations of researchers, which will contribute significantly to our understanding of East Asian culture and history. However, regrettably, the stone tablet later went missing completely.
The stone tablet donated to the library went missing at an unknown time, and its location remained unknown, causing significant concern and anxiety among scholars and researchers. The incident was reported as a top news item in the Chosun Ilbo daily newspaper on May 15, 1973. Surprisingly, Min and other relevant preservation professors at Yonsei University were unaware of the tablet's disappearance until it was reported in the newspaper. There were rumors that the stone tablet had ended up at the Museum of Tenri University in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Despite numerous efforts to locate the missing tablet, including public appeals and investigations by relevant authorities, its recovery remained unsuccessful to this day. Regrettably, Min, who was suspected of knowing the whereabouts of the tablet, passed away in 2005 without revealing any information. The disappearance of such a priceless artifact underscores the importance of preserving and safeguarding cultural heritage.
Notably, out of the 56 monarchs who ruled during the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―935 A.D), only two tombs have been identified with the occupants buried within: King Muyul (the 29th king) and King Heungdeok.
In addition, King Heungdeok was an innovative monarch who played a significant role in the development of Silla's military and economic power. During his reign, Silla expanded its navy, international trade and technological innovation, facilitated by the king's patronage of military leader Jang Bo-go.
Under Jang's remarkable leadership, Silla established the major military headquarters and trade port of Cheonghaejin on Wando Island in South Jeolla Province.
Silla's maritime influence expanded across the East China Sea, enabling commercial relations with neighboring states like Japan and the Tang Dynasty. The historic value of King Heungdeok's reign and tomb is noteworthy.
Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association.
QOSHE - Historical significance of King Heungdeok's tomb - Thoughts Of The Timesaccount_circleinfobrightness_mediumcancel
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Tomb of King Heungdeok, the 42nd monarch (r. 826-836) of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―935 A.D), nestled in the outskirts of Angang Township in Gyeongju. The tomb contains some masterpieces, including 12 zodiac figures carved on stone panels that encircle the mound. The area surrounding the tomb has also yielded a wealth of cultural artifacts, such as a stone tablet that was placed on a tortoise that provides valuable insights into the ancient history and culture of Silla.
Remarkably, the distinct exotic facial features and styles of the stone warriors at the entrance of King Heungdeok's tomb suggest a cultural exchange between Silla and the Middle East through the Silk Road. This highlights the kingdom's openness to other cultures and emphasizes the significance of cultural exchange and understanding between civilizations. It underscores the importance of embracing diversity and cultivating cross-cultural relationships.
In 1957, a culturally invaluable artifact in........
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