Characters and Symbols of Gaya

These are pieces of earthenware inscribed with characters and symbols. The pieces at the end on the left in particular are inscribed with various symbols, but nobody has been able to interpret their meaning yet.

Some people insist that these are letters. Due to its vibrant iron industry, Gaya frequently traded with China. Writing brushes and knives used to erase inscriptions from wood have been found at historic Gaya sites dating from the 1st century B.C. It is suggested that the people of Gaya used letters from around that time.

Other people assert that these symbols were inscribed to indicate ownership of the pottery. It is possible that they were used to distinguish people’s earthenware possessions.

The symbols of Gaya remain a mystery today. You might be the first person to solve the mystery and understand their meaning, so please take a close look!