E2024-G141

Ancient Keyhole Tombs

Narrative

A keyhole tomb consists of two connected earthen burial mounds, one round and one square, which together create a keyhole shape. The shape is said to resemble a traditional Korean double-headed drum (janggo or janggu), and is therefore known in Korean as a “janggo tomb.” Many keyhole-shaped tombs dating from the 4th to 6th centuries have been found in Japan. This suggests that there were cultural exchanges between the southern area of the Korean Peninsula and Japan at the time. Gwangju has three keyhole-shaped ancient tombs, namely one in Myeonghwa-dong and two in Wolgye-dong, which are designated at Gwangju Monuments. As these tombs have many things in common with keyhole-shaped tombs of Japan, such as tomb structure, design, and excavated artifacts, they are considered a valuable resource for studying the relationship between ancient Korea and Japan.

• Ancient Tomb in Myeonghwa-dong
  • The ancient tomb in Myeonghwa-dong is presumed to have been built in the first half of the 6th century during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE-668 CE).The tomb was discovered in 1992 and excavated in 1993 and 1994. The burial mounds measure 33 m in total length. The round mound measures 2.73 m in height and 18 m in diameter, the square mound measures 2.73 m in height and 24 m in width, and the part connecting them measures 1.87 m in height and 12 m in width. It is the smallest keyhole-shaped tomb discovered in the Jeollanam-do region. Excavations confirmed that the round and square mounds were built at the same time. It is presumed that there was a stone burial chamber underneath the round mound, but it is impossible to confirm its original structure due to severe damage by tomb robbers. Excavated artifacts include gilt-bronze earrings, iron arrowheads, buckles, dishes, and shards of unglazed earthenware. Several cylindrical earthenware were found placed at the edges of the part where the round and square mounds connect. It is presumed that they may be related to a burial ritual.
• Janggo-shaped Tombs in Wolgye-dong
  • The two janggo-shaped tombs in Wolgye-dong are presumed to have been built in the 5th and 6th centuries. Excavation surveys were conducted in 1993 and 1995 to understand the size and structure of these tombs. Tomb No. 1 is 44 m long and consists of a stone chamber under the round earthen mound and an entrance passage on the southwestern part. The ceiling of the stone chamber was found collapsed and was reconstructed in 1997. This tomb was surrounded by a ditch, measuring 1-2 m in depth, in which numerous shards of cylindrical pottery were found during the excavation. Tomb No. 2 is 33 m long. Though it is smaller than Tomb No. 1, its overall shape and structure are similar.

Story Map

• Ancient Roots: Gwangju Through the Ages
  • Mujingoseong Fortress: A Glimpse of Gwangju in the Unified Silla Period
  • Gwangju’s Dolmens
  • Ancient Keyhole Tombs
  • Tomb of a Goryeo Official: Jeong Ji
  • Tomb of a Joseon Official: Jeon Sang-ui
  • Ancient Life: The Archeological Site in Sinchang-dong