경주 동부 사적지대

Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, the Tomb Complex, is a site where numerous ancient tombs from the Silla period are concentrated. These ancient tombs are akin to museums in their own right. In ancient period, the dead were buried along with their personal belongings, grave goods, and sometimes even their servants. Consequently, ancient tombs serve as repositories of historical records and offer valuable insights into the culture of those times. Daereungwon, in particular, boasts a remarkable collection of numerous old tombs, including the resting places of renowned kings and aristocrats. Here, 37 tombs are clustered together, and among them is the Hwangnamdaechong Tomb, the largest tomb in Gyeongju, a city famous for the discovery of a remarkable golden crown. To begin your exploration, let's start with the tomb nearest to the entrance, which is the tomb of King Michu. As you enter, follow the path to your left, and then take the right fork. You will soon come across the protective walls that encircle the tomb.

The large tomb enclosed and protected by the walls is the tomb of King Michu. King Michu was a significant figure in Silla history, serving as the first King of Silla from the Kim family. During his reign, he exhibited a strong commitment to the development of the kingdom, defended it against foreign invasions, and promoted agricultural advancement. These efforts earned him profound respect from the people, a respect that continued even after his passing. King Michu's tomb is also known by the nickname the bamboo tomb. This name has an interesting story behind it. During the reign of the 14th king of Silla, the kingdom faced an invasion from a neighboring nation. Silla was struggling in the battles, and the situation looked dire. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an army of resolute soldiers appeared. Each of them wore helmets adorned with bamboo leaves and fought valiantly on behalf of Silla, eventually leading the kingdom to victory. After the battle, these mysterious soldiers vanished without a trace, leaving only bamboo leaves behind. People came to believe that these bamboo leaf soldiers originated from the bamboo forest surrounding King Michu's tomb, and thus, they began to refer to it as the bamboo tomb. The legend persisted, with people thinking that King Michu was still watching over and assisting Silla, the kingdom he loved, even after his passing.

The astronomical observatory of Cheomseongdae has both rectangular edges and round parts with graceful carves. The round part and the rectangular part each represents the sky and the earth. According to the records, the square window opening in the middle was the hole through which people went in and out of the observatory. Supporting this explanation are the small holes that were found inside. It’s believed that they were made by people leaning a ladder against the inner wall. This indicates that people went into the observatory through the window opening using a ladder, and then climbed up another ladder from the inside to the top, to observe stars. Below the window opening is filled with dirt and gravel, which makes a strong platform for people to stand on. A total of 362 blocks were used to build the observatory. The number of blocks represents the number of days in a year in a lunar calendar. The 12 layers of stone blocks represent 12 months that make up a year. This suggests that the observatory might have served as a calendar for people of Silla. This observatory was near the royal palace of Silla. An astronomical observatory needed to be close to the palace, so that any changes observed in the sky could be promptly reported to the king. Since Cheomseongdae Observatory was built, records of observations of solar and lunar eclipses, appearance of comets and extreme weather events were made more frequently. The observations are also known to be very accurate. Cheomseongdae Observatory carries both a significant scientific value and beautiful appearance, making it a perfect example of Silla’s advanced knowledge of science and refined artistry.

The fact that ancient people observed stars doesn't solely indicate their curiosity but also reflects their grasp of 'astronomy,' the study of celestial changes. Astronomy held significant importance in agricultural societies due to its direct correlation with weather patterns, crucial for farming. It was intricately intertwined with politics. Believing that royal authority was divinely bestowed, people regarded celestial changes as indicative of human world transformations. For instance, meteors or comets were perceived as ominous omens signalling the imminent demise of someone important. Hence, interpreting celestial phenomena served as a means to validate political legitimacy for both nobility and the populace. Astronomy remained a closely guarded secret, accessible only to a select few. National calendars were also confidential due to their inclusion of pivotal astronomical occurrences like solar and lunar eclipses. This notion stemmed from the belief in governing the country in alignment with the will and supremacy of heaven. The prevailing view of Cheomseongdae Observatory suggests it was an astronomical observatory, but its actual function remains controversial. Let's explore the divergent perspectives. Some researchers argue that during the Silla period, Cheomseongdae was used solely to measure sun-induced shadow lengths and not for astronomical investigations. They contend that its structure, including the square window and the installation of observation instruments like Honcheonui, seems unsuitable. Climbing in and out of the tower daily would have been inconvenient for astronomers. Instead, they posit that people utilized it to understand various solar terms like Chunbun, Chubun Haji, and Dongji, applying this knowledge to agriculture, serving as a sundial hub. Others perceive Cheomseongdae Observatory as an object or altar for religious purposes. Queen Seondeok, the tower's builder, expressed in her will a desire to be buried in Doricheon after her death. Doricheon symbolizes the sky at the summit of Sumisan Mountain, a sacred place in Buddhism. Advocates of this view assert that Cheomseongdae Observatory 's design mirrors Sumisan, suggesting a religious connotation. Lastly, some scholars view Cheomseongdae Observatory as a 'space well,' a passage connecting the celestial realm (inhabited by gods) and the earthly world (inhabited by people). The Silla people perceived wells constructed of piled stones on the ground, akin to Cheomseongdae Observatory, as such passages. Given Queen Seondeok's various political challenges during her reign, she might have sought to fortify her authority by establishing a connection to the heavens through Cheomseongdae Observatory. Having acquainted yourself with these theories, take a moment to observe Cheomseongdae. Envision the Silla people coming and going. Which story resonates the most with you?