![]() The time of the compilation of the Samguk sagi in 1145 and of the Samguk yusa in 1280, long after Silla and the other kingdoms had vanished from the political map, calls for caution in regard to historical accuracy. The Samguk sagi (三國史記, ‘History of the Three Kingdoms’) and the Samguk yusa (三國遺事, ‘Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms’) are the most important. The Three Kingdoms period and there-with the history of Silla is covered by historical sources. Silla was, besides Koguryŏ and Paekche, one of the Three Kingdoms that were the dominant political units on the Korean Peninsula from the first centuries AD until Silla, with support of Tang China, defeated Paekche in 660 and Koguryŏ in 668. 1 Although this assumption might not cause too much disagreement, it does not offer an explanation for the monumental measurements and the exceptional equipment that separate a small group of graves from the other mounds. Differences in the size and the equipment of the burials have been commonly interpreted as related to the social status of the deceased. Obviously, most of the graves must have been occupied by other individuals than the six, historically known rulers of that time. However, as has been understood for a while, most of the more than hundred-fifty barrows counted in the vicinity of Wŏlsŏng, the core of the ancient capital, were constructed in a rather limited time span, the so-called maripkan period, which lasted for a little bit less than 160 years (356–514 CE). The question who was buried in these mounds is seemingly easy to answer: they must be the last resting places of Silla’s kings and queens. At this place, the deeply rooted history of Kyŏngju becomes a direct experience. One of the most impressive experiences for visitors of modern Kyŏngju, the former location of the capital of the Silla kingdom, is a walk through the ‘Taenŭngwŏn Tomb Complex’ from the southern entrance, where with every step along the path more mountain-like burial mounds appear in front of the observer. KeyWords: Three Kingdoms period, Silla, maripkan, mounded graves, ostentatious graves Pressure from the outside caused by the kingdom of Koguryŏ and inter-polity competitions of the leading families are identified as a major impetus for the construction of these graves. Their existence is an indicator of the political weakness of the emerging polity. ![]() However, by introducing the concept of ‘ostentatious graves’ it is being argued that the monumental burials are rather an expression of high socio-political tension. Due to their gigantic measurements and their extremely lavish equipment, a small group of these graves has been commonly interpreted as royal tombs that reflect the political independence and strength of Silla’s elite. These burials, constructed as wooden chamber tombs within a stone mound, occurred during a specific stage of Silla’s state formation, which is also known in reference to the ruler’s title as the maripkan period (356-514). The mounded graves in the city center of modern Kyŏngju belong to the most impressive relics of Old Silla. ![]()
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