Three Gaya artifacts designated as national treasures

Three artifacts of the Gaya confederacy during the 4th and 5th centuries will be designated as national treasures. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Wednesday that it will designate Gilt Bronze Crown excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 32 in Jisan-dong, Goryeong (photo), Bronze Seven Bells excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 22 in Bokcheon-dong, Busan, Ironware excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 38 in Bokcheon-dong, Busan.

The Gilt Bronze Crown excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 32, displayed at the National Museum of Korea, is a Gaya artifact that was found in 1978 in Goryeong, North Gyeongsang Province. Its decorations of X patterns on a large, flat plank is distinctively different from other gilt bronze crowns in the Three Kingdoms of Korea age, which are usually made with tall upright antlers and tree-like formations.

Bronze Seven Bells excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 22 has seven bells at the end of its branches, and used by leaders of the highest position in Gaya in the 4th and 5th centuries. Bronze bells had been previously found from the Gojoseon era in the form of eight or two bells, but this is the only one of its kind from the Three Kingdoms of Korea age.

Ironware excavated from the ancient tomb site No. 38 is made up of a helmet, gorget and armor. It is the only artifact of the ancient times to have been found with the entire set intact.


Won-Mo Yu onemore@donga.com