TOMB OF KING MURYEONG

This site includes seven royal tombs of Baekje. In 1971, during drainage works undertaken, the intact tomb of King Muryeong (462-501) was discovered by a happy coincidence. This king is known for centralizing power against the aristocracy and maintaining diplomatic relations with Silla, China and Gaya against Goguryeo who was threatening. Important in the history of Baekje, he was buried 3 years after his death and a few years later his queen joined him in this tomb. They were placed in wooden coffins, laid down with beautifully carved footrests and necks. The calligraphic stelae found at the entrance of the tomb have made it possible to identify this burial with certainty and to date it. The walls are covered with bricks decorated with floral and geometric motifs. The other tombs are either brick or stone. A phrase found in one of the tombs indicates that they followed the style used in the burials of the Yang Dynasty of South China. Tomb No. 6, on the other hand, has wall paintings on plastered surfaces. The four cardinal deities are depicted: a blue dragon in the east, a white tiger in the west, a black turtle and a snake in the north, and a phoenix surrounded by the moon and sun in the south. None of these tombs can be visited any more, but an exhibition building to the south of the tombs offers sections of the burials. A reproduction of King Muryeong's tomb identical to the original has been made.