Pohang Naengsu-ri Silla Stele and Yeongil Naengsu-ri Ancient Tombs

About this place

The Pohang Naengsu-ri Silla Stele was discovered in 1989 when a villager was ploughing a field; on-site examination determined it to be of exceptional cultural value and it was designated a National Treasure. The stele records an edict issued jointly by Silla kings Silseong and Naemul acknowledging a certain Jeolgeori of Jinimachu village's right to acquire property. Representatives of various departments confirmed the two kings' decision and resolved that after Jeolgeori's death no disputes over the distribution of his estate would be tolerated, with severe penalties for violations. Based on correlating evidence, the stele is believed to have been erected in 503 AD. As the earliest known state-erected stele dealing with royal commands in Silla, it reveals the embryonic form of the early legal code and provides invaluable insight into Silla society. The stele is also an important artefact for the study of Silla history and epigraphy. The stele is made of a roughly square natural stone, wider at the base than the top, with inscriptions on the front face, reverse, and top surface. The 231 characters, written in a regular script (haeseo) with strong clerical-script (yeseo) characteristics, are so well preserved that they can be read with the naked eye — the script closely resembles that of the Goguryeo Stele at Chungju and the Silla Stele at Uljin Bongpyeong-ri. The Yeongil Naengsu-ri Ancient Tombs are horizontal-chamber stone tombs of the early 6th century from the Silla period, excavated south of the Han River. Of the largest size class, they feature a unique internal structure including an antechamber. Although already looted at the time of excavation, many artefacts were recovered, including crown ornaments, pendant decorations, and gold rings, suggesting these were the tombs of local chieftains.