4 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Key Silla Kingdom Palace Site Found in South Korea After Decade-Long Probe

A decade-long investigation conducted by the Korea Heritage Service has uncovered a crucial palace site of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-935 AD), revealing findings that could potentially reshape the historical narrative of this ancient kingdom.

The Silla Kingdom, one of the oldest kingdoms in Korea, was established in 57 BC and lasted until 935 AD. As part of the Three Kingdoms period, Silla made significant advancements in art, architecture, and metalworking. In 668, Silla allied with the Tang Dynasty to conquer Baekje and Goguryeo, unifying much of the Korean Peninsula.

On Thursday, the South Korean Heritage agency said that according to new findings, Donggung, the palace of the crown prince of Silla, is located east of the pond called Wolji, not west of it as previously thought.

Previously, it was believed that Donggung was situated west of Wolji, an artificial pond formerly known as Anapji. However, the Korea Heritage Service announced last week that new findings indicate Donggung is actually located to the east of the pond. This conclusion is backed by substantial evidence collected on-site in Gyeongju, the city in North Gyeongsang Province that served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom.

Korea Heritage Service (KHS) chief Choi Eung-chon stated at a press conference on Thursday that the ground on the west side of the pond is slightly more elevated than on the east side, with remnants of structures on the west side standing a bit taller. He explained that this suggests the king occupied the western area, while his son resided in the eastern space. The two separate spaces, Choi added, were disconnected and the east side had an independent pond.

A small piece of pure gold that measures 3.6 by 1.17 centimeters (0.11 by 0.038 foot), which was discovered at an excavation site of the Donggung Palace. Credit: Korea Heritage Service
A small piece of pure gold that measures 3.6 by 1.17 centimeters (0.11 by 0.038 foot), which was discovered at an excavation site of the Donggung Palace. Credit: Korea Heritage Service

According to officials from the Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, which is operated by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), Drainage systems for the two spaces were different as well,. Choi Eung-chon said the discovery of a large building site on the eastern side of Wolji, which included the remains of a flush-style toilet system believed to date back to the Unified Silla period (668-935). Choi emphasized that this finding has resolved a long-standing debate and rewritten the history of the Silla Kingdom.

A representative from the think tank noted that the drainage systems not only reflect the lifestyle of the Silla people but also demonstrate the engineering skills of the time, contributing to a deeper understanding of this ancient kingdom, which is central to Korean history.

“This is an early example of a sophisticated plumbing system, reinforcing the idea that this was a royal facility,” said Kim Gyeong-yeol, senior researcher at the Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, who has been working on the excavation project since 2014. 

Over the past decade, numerous artifacts have been unearthed near Donggung. In 2017, archaeologists discovered a perfectly cube-shaped ivory die, while in 2022, an exquisite piece of pure gold foil featuring intricate microscopic carvings was found. This remarkable artifact, measuring 3.6 by 1.17 centimeters (1.4 by 0.46 inches), was located within an extensive excavation site covering 18,100 square meters (4.47 acres). Experts determined that this paper-thin piece of gold served as a canvas, engraved with two birds and imaginary flowers known as danhwa. The birds were carved to a thickness of just 0.05 millimeters (0.002 inches), which is finer than a human hair, highlighting the advanced metalworking skills of Silla artisans.

This photo shows the remains of a dog discovered at the site of Wolseong, the Silla capital fortress protecting the royal palace in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Credit: Korea Heritage Service
This photo shows the remains of a dog discovered at the site of Wolseong, the Silla capital fortress protecting the royal palace in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Credit: Korea Heritage Service

Among the discoveries near Donggung are various artifacts, including the remains of two dogs, a crystal necklace housed in a wooden lacquered container, a sword, and fossils of shark teeth. The remains of one dog were found in October of last year, and at that time, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) determined that the dog was likely part of a human sacrifice ritual associated with the construction of the fortress, as human remains—bones of individuals believed to be in their 50s—were also uncovered at the site. Scholars suggest this may be evidence of human sacrifice, known as inshingoinghui, where individuals were offered to the gods to ensure the stability of a structure or fortification.

The KHS noted that the dogs were found in close proximity to one another and arranged symmetrically. All the artifacts recovered appeared to have been burned, and most are believed to date back to the third century, providing valuable insights into the rituals and practices of the Silla Kingdom.

According to Choi, the crystal necklace discovered in the wooden container is in fair condition and will aid the Korea Heritage Service in better understanding the types of ceremonies that occurred during the early years of the Silla Kingdom, up to the fourth century. He noted that the lacquered wooden container indicates a luxurious sacrifice, given the rarity of lacquer during that period.

Despite the significant discoveries made during the excavation, the exact location of Silla’s original royal palace remains a mystery. While it is evident that the kingdom expanded Wolseong after unification, the precise site of the pre-seventh-century royal residence is still unknown. According to the Korea Heritage Service, this excavation project is expected to continue for at least another 50 years. Notably, Wolseong is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, yet much of the area has been left largely unexplored in relation to its historical significance.

Korea Heritage Service

Cover Image Credit: A photo of the excavation site of Gyeongju’s Wolseong, a palace complex of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). Credit: Korea Heritage Service

Related Articles

Polish archaeologists discovered new petroglyphs dating back to the 3rd century in Colorado

14 December 2023

14 December 2023

Archaeologists from the Jagiellonian University, southern Poland, have made a significant discovery of ancient indigenous paintings and carvings in the...

Archaeologists uncovered a 3,500-year-old Egyptian Royal Retreat in the Sinai Desert

5 May 2024

5 May 2024

An Egyptian mission uncovered the ruins of a 3,500-year-old “royal fortified rest area” at the Tel Habwa archaeological site in...

A farmer discovered artifacts of the Unetice culture in his field

19 August 2021

19 August 2021

A farmer in Sulęcin county in Poland’s Lubusz province discovered a rare treasure while trying to clear stones from his...

The marble head of God Apollo unearthed in an excavation at Philippi, Greece

29 March 2024

29 March 2024

The excavation, carried out by a group of students of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the archaeological site of...

Angkor Wat Reopens

26 April 2021

26 April 2021

After being temporarily closed on April 7 to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to locals, Apsara National Authority and Angkor...

The bronze age village Afragola buried by the Plinian eruption of mount Vesuvius 4,000 Years Ago

30 September 2022

30 September 2022

Mount Vesuvius’ Plinian eruption about 4,000 years ago—2,000 years before it buried the Roman city of Pompeii—left remarkable preservation of...

In Egypt, archaeologists have discovered a 4,500-year-old Sun temple.

16 November 2021

16 November 2021

Archaeologists discovered an ancient Sun temple in the Egyptian desert that dates back 4,500 years. The remains were discovered under...

Copious Copper Supplies Made Cyprus a Trading Center in the Bronze Age

23 March 2023

23 March 2023

Cyprus was a surprisingly busy trading hub during the early period of international trade in the Mediterranean region. Its awe-inspiring...

Researchers Unearthed the First Known Neanderthal Footprints in Portugal

16 July 2025

16 July 2025

New tracksites reveal how Neanderthals navigated Portugal’s ancient dunes 80,000 years ago In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unearthed the...

A Sunken Port Beneath the Red Sea May Have Reshaped the Map of Human Migration Out of Africa 20,000 Years Ago

26 July 2025

26 July 2025

New research suggests an ancient trade hub lies beneath Egypt’s Red Sea coast—offering clues to how early civilizations connected Africa...

Roman Canal and Road Uncovered in The Netherlands near UNESCO heritage sites

30 July 2021

30 July 2021

Dutch archaeologists that a canal and gravel road thought to have been built and used by the Roman military have...

Extraordinary discovery for the Western Baltic Sea region: a 400-year-old shipwreck Found at Bottom of German River

3 August 2022

3 August 2022

During a routine measurement at Trave, near Lübeck, in the northern part of Germany,  Kiel-Holtenau Waterways and Shipping Authority (Wasserstraßen-...

Archaeologists discover the Americas’ oldest adobe architecture

7 December 2021

7 December 2021

On the north coast of Peru, researchers have discovered the oldest adobe architecture in the Americas, constructed with ancient mud...

Viennese Archaeologists Find LEGIO XIII GEMINA Bricks

1 February 2024

1 February 2024

The fourth oldest school in Vienna, the Kindermanngasse Elementary School, is being completely renovated. As part of the renovation of...

Will new Technology be able to Solve the Mystery in Masovia?

14 May 2021

14 May 2021

Although there are about 500 medieval tombs found in today’s Masovia and Podlasie cities, the question of who these tombs...