The Foundation of Geumgwan Gaya

[Narration]
During the 20th century, an unusual incident occurred in Gimhae, the region located in the south-east of the Korean Peninsula. Heavy rains caused a landslide and unearthed a bounty of relics. Over 550 ancient tombs and some 5,000 artifacts were discovered in an area four times the size of a soccer field.

[Tourist]
That’s incredible! Which kingdom did the relics come from?

[Narration]
Considering the characteristics of the relics, historians presume that they belonged to the kings and nobles of the Geumgwan Gaya, as they date from the 1st to the 4th century. The display here consists of artifacts unearthed by the landslide. Many iron swords and spears were found. During that time, iron weapons were a symbol of power; whoever possessed iron dominated their world. Therefore, they could only have belonged to members of the ruling elite.

[Tourist]
I understand. But why did they bury these items in tombs? Did the ruling elite want to flaunt their power even in the afterlife?

[Narration]
Um… In a manner of speaking, yes. It was mainly because people believed that the life they led in this world would continue in the next world. Thus artifacts were buried with the dead in the hopes that the deceased person would maintain his authority and wealth. Ancient Egyptians also believed in the existence of eternal life in the next world and considered a tomb to be the new home of the deceased. The various treasures, including the famous golden mask and crown, excavated from Tutankhamen’s tomb in Egypt are good examples of this practice.

The iron pot displayed at the end on the left comes from the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It provides evidence that Gaya enhanced its economy and political power by exporting iron and trading with other countries.