Gyeongju: Archaeologists have unearthed a tomb believed to belong to a Silla-era general dating back 1,600 years, the national heritage agency announced. This significant discovery was made at the royal tomb complex in Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935).
According to Yonhap News Agency, the tomb is thought to have been constructed for a high-ranking general who died around the age of 30. The discovery includes a rare, complete set of armor for both a warrior and his horse, providing new insights into the military power of the ancient Korean kingdom. The Korea Heritage Service (KHS), in collaboration with the Silla Cultural Heritage Research Institute, revealed that the tomb likely dates back to the late 4th or early 5th century.
The exceptional find includes only the second complete set of horse armor ever discovered in a Silla tomb, along with a full suit of human armor, a helmet, a saddle, a bit, and stirrups. Academics believe this serves as tangible evidence of Silla's elite, heavily armored cavalry units, which were essential to the kingdom's dominance. The agency highlighted that this data illuminates the true nature of the cataphracts, Silla's military strength, and the prestige of its ruling class during the 5th century.
The human armor is noted for its advanced design, combining leather with iron plates to create a lightweight, high-performance suit, indicating the owner had access to the finest military technology of the period. Archaeologists also discovered the remains of a probable human sacrifice, likely an attendant, buried alongside the general.
Among the 165 artifacts unearthed were a pair of gold earrings, believed to have been worn by the deceased, a large ring-pommel sword, fragments of teeth, and gilt-bronze plates. The absence of additional lavish accessories suggests the tomb's occupant was primarily a military figure rather than a ceremonial one. Tooth fragment analysis indicates the occupant was around 30 years old.
Fragments of gilt-bronze plates are believed to be from a gilt-bronze crown featuring openwork triangular and convex patterns similar to those found in the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom's ornaments. Experts consider it one of the earliest known examples of a Silla gilt-bronze crown, offering rare insights into early gold craftsmanship.
The discovery was made near the previously excavated Hwangnam-dong Tomb No. 120 in the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju. Initially identified during the Japanese colonial period (1910-45), the site was later damaged and forgotten. Since 2018, the KHS and the city of Gyeongju have resumed excavations, identifying two mounds, Tombs No. 120-1 and 120-2, uncovering valuable relics.
The newly discovered site, named Hwangnam-dong Wooden Chamber Tomb No. 1, along with select artifacts, will be open to the public from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Gyeongju.