Gyeongsan Imdang-dong and Joyeong-dong Tumuli

This is an early Three Kingdoms period tomb complex located in the Imdang-dong, Joyeong-dong, and Apryang-eup areas of Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where Silla-era stone-mound wooden chamber tombs and stone-chamber tombs were excavated. It was excavated by the Yeungnam University Museum in 1982 and was designated as a historic site in 2011. The tomb types are diverse, including wooden coffin tombs, jar tombs, stone-mound wooden chamber tombs, and stone-chamber tombs. Excavated artifacts include various gold and silver ornaments, ironware including ring-pommel swords, and earthenware. Based on the status of these excavated artifacts, they can be seen as the tombs of the rulers of this region at the time. The Samguk Sagi records that in the 23rd year of King Pasa, the king of Apdok-guk surrendered to Silla. Apdok-guk is presumed to be near Apryang-myeon, where the Imdang-dong tombs are located, and these tombs provide insight into the relationships between small states during the early Three Kingdoms period. The artifacts and tomb structures excavated from Imdang-dong can be found in the artifacts and structures of early Gyeongju tombs and are similar to Gaya culture, making this a site that demonstrates cultural exchange between them. Approximately 10 ancient tombs are distributed across the low, flat hilly areas of the Joyeong-dong area in Gyeongsan-si. The mounds, which are the earthen parts covering the tombs, have almost disappeared, but the remaining parts are circular. The interiors of the tombs include jar tombs, pit-style stone coffin tombs, and stone-chamber tombs, with pit-style stone coffin tombs being the most common. Pit-style stone coffin tombs also vary in structure, ranging from those containing only a coffin for the body to those with multiple coffins surrounding the body coffin and the burial goods coffin. Excavated artifacts include various types of earthenware, ornaments such as gilt-bronze crowns, belts, and earrings, weapons, horse trappings, and clay products.