| Gold Crown Tomb | |
|---|---|
A gold crown excavated from Geumgwanchong tomb. National Treasures of South Korea No. 191 |
|
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 금관총 |
| Hanja | 金冠塚 |
| Revised Romanization | Geumgwanchong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kŭmgwanch'ong |
The Gold Crown Tomb (Geumgwanchong), is a Silla tumulus located in modern-day Gyeongju, South Korea, the former capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom. Believed to date from the fifth or sixth century CE, the tomb was excavated in 1921. The tomb was the first to bear one of the sumptuous gold crowns of the Silla royalty, and is still the largest crown excavated thus far. The tomb gets its name from this famous crown.[1] Over 40,000 artifacts were recovered from the tomb, including "gold, silver, and bronze vessels, gold and silver weapons, gilt-bronze plate armor, stoneware vessels, 20,000 mainly blue Indo-Pacific beads, and horse fittings."[1][2]
The tumulus was first discovered by school children who had found beads coming out of the hill. A policeman notified the authorities who began an excavation on the site.[2]
A golden girdle found in the tomb is another important symbol of royalty and is only found in royal tombs. The girdle is about two metres in length, is made up of 39 plaques, and has various charms dangling from the main belt.[3] The golden crown found in this tomb is also notable for its intricate open metal-work inner cap which suggests a symbolism with bird wings and shamanistic practices.[3] A bronze tripod pouring vessel is possibly a Chinese import.[3]