Development of Baekje Tombs

This model shows the evolution of tomb structure during the Baekje Period.

The bodies of the deceased were normally buried directly in the ground, or a simple tomb was constructed with bark and stones, so there aren't many traces of the tombs remaining today. However, the tombs of kings and other members of the royal family were different and as such, many remains have been uncovered. This has made it possible for us to understand the development of tombs in the Baekje Period.

The first pyramid-shaped tomb that you see on your right is a stone mound tomb. This style of tomb was used during the early years of Baekje for kings, royals, and members of the nobility. The tombs were constructed by placing the body of the deceased in the center and then arranging stones around and over it in a step-like manner.

At a similar time in rural areas, an earthenware vessel was used as a coffin, as displayed second from the left. Either the corpse or just the bones of the deceased were placed in both large and small vessels, and then the vessel was buried. This is similar to a practice common in ancient Egypt, where the internal organs of the king were placed within a vessel for burial.

The next type of tomb was a stone chamber tomb, which is exhibited on the furthest to your left. This type of tomb shares similarities with the coffins we use today, in that a rectangular hole was dug in the ground, the corpse interred, and the hole was covered with a slab of stone.

The last tomb is the second one from the right, and it is a stone chamber tomb with a tunnel entrance. If you look at the model you will see that there is a square chamber made of stone where the corpse was placed, and to one side of the tomb, a door leading to an entrance passageway. The entrance passageway leading to the chamber was built due to the belief that the occupants continued to reside in the chamber after they had been buried.

Baekje tombs differed according to region and they also evolved over time. You can take a look at the reproductions of the different types of tombs in the Baekje Cultural Land.