National Cultural Heritage Research Institute Announces Findings
Analysis of a molar tooth shows the owner was in their mid to late teens
Evidence of active trading during the early Ungjin period also discovered, “The owner of Tomb No. 2 in ‘Gongju Cemetery and Royal Tombs’ has been identified as King Samgeun, the grandson of King Gaero.”,
On June 17, the National Buyeo Cultural Heritage Research Institute of the National Cultural Heritage Research Institute announced the results of a reinvestigation of the Gongju Muryeong Royal Tombs and Cemetery conducted since September 2023. Located at San 5-17, Geumseong-dong, Gongju City, this area contains the burial site of the kings from the Ungjin period of Baekje when the capital was moved to Gongju from AD 475 to 538.
The research team focused on Tomb No. 2 in the northeastern part of the cemetery and discovered two molars and a gold earring. Forensic analysis showed the owner was a teenager in their mid to late teens. King Samgeun was the only Ungjin period king who died young in his teenage years. He was born in 465, ascended the throne in 477, and died in 479 at the age of fourteen.
The research institute explained, “The gold earring with blue glass beads found in Tomb No. 2 also represents a transitional form between the Hanseong period and the late Ungjin period,” indicating that the tomb’s owner reigned early in the Ungjin period. They added, “The owners of Tombs No. 1 to No. 4, arranged side by side, are thought to be direct descendants of King Gaero, like King Munju, or other royal family members.”
The institute also discovered evidence that Baekje had established a solid political system and engaged in active trade from the early Ungjin period. The ring found in Tomb No. 2, made of silver with gold plating and striped patterns, is similar to one found in the northern burial mound of the Hwangnam Daechong in Gyeongju. This suggests close relations between Baekje in its early Ungjin era and Silla. The pentagonal sword handle ornament decorated with silver on iron, found together, has also been discovered in Naju and Nonsan, suggesting it was granted by Baekje to local leaders at the time.
In the tombs of the Gongju Cemetery, more than a thousand glass beads of various types were collected. The lead content used in the yellow and green beads was analyzed, similar to the beads found in the Muryeong Royal Tomb, indicating that the source of the beads was Thailand. This shows that Baekje operated an extensive trade network extending to Southeast Asia. The institute concluded, “Even during the seemingly politically tumultuous early Ungjin period, Baekje maintained a stable internal political system and external trade network.”