4 July 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

Spanish Water Worker discovered 2,500-Year-Old two Gold Necklaces

14 September 2023

14 September 2023

A worker at a local water company in Spain discovered two gold necklaces thought to date back 2,500 years. Sergio...

“One of the outstanding discoveries of recent decades”: Gold coin reveals unknown British King

20 October 2023

20 October 2023

New light has been shed on a little-known part of British history thanks to the extraordinary discovery of a coin...

Archaeologists discover one of the largest Phallus Relief Carving of ancient Rome

28 August 2022

28 August 2022

According to an announcement by the region’s local history museum, a large Roman-era relief carving of a phallus has been...

The Legacy of the Double-Headed Eagle: From Hittite Kings to Modern Icons

25 June 2025

25 June 2025

The double-headed eagle is one of the most enduring symbols in human history. Recognized today as an emblem of imperial...

‘Theodoric the Great’ villa mosaic found near Verona in Italy

17 April 2022

17 April 2022

A section of the ancient Roman mosaic flooring from the 5th century AD villa of Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great...

3.300-year-old Hittite Inscription was Used in Gate Construction

10 May 2021

10 May 2021

Our cultural assets become victims of ignorance one by one. The works that will illuminate the darkness of history continue...

Hidden Archaeological Treasures from Cologne Cathedral

25 January 2024

25 January 2024

An area of around 4,000 square meters (43,055 square feet) is being discovered beneath the Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic...

Archaeologists Unearthed Third Greatest Fire Temple Existing in Ancient Iran’s Sassanid Era

11 July 2022

11 July 2022

Archaeologists have unearthed ruins of what they believe to be the third-greatest fire temple in ancient Iran during the Sassanid...

1500-year-old Elite tombs were discovered vicinity of the ancient seaport of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt

22 May 2022

22 May 2022

Polish archaeologists have discovered a tomb complex near the ancient port of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt. Archaeologists from the University...

HS2 archaeologists discover Romanization of Iron Age village in Britain

12 January 2022

12 January 2022

Archaeologists have uncovered a vast Roman trading town on Britain’s HS2 high-speed rail route. Evidence found during a dig of...

The 3200-year-old Mycenaean figure that brought Ephesus together with the Hittite civilization: Found in the excavations of Ayasuluk Tepe

11 June 2022

11 June 2022

A 3,200-year-old Mycenaean figurine that could change the perspective on the history of civilization in Western Anatolia during the Bronze...

Britain’s Longest Ancient Monument ‘Offa’s Dyke’ to be Restored

21 June 2021

21 June 2021

Offa’s Dyke is a long, linear earthwork that roughly parallels the English-Welsh boundary. Offa is also known as the longest...

Unveiling the Secrets of the “Air-Dried Chaplain”: A Unique Mummification Method Discovered in Austria

4 May 2025

4 May 2025

Researchers investigating a remarkably well-preserved mummy discovered in the church crypt of St. Thomas am Blasenstein, a small village in...

In Parion, one of the most important cities of the Troas region, 2,000-year-old mother-child graves were unearthed

1 November 2022

1 November 2022

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Parion, the most important harbor city in the Hellenistic era, have uncovered  2,000-year-old...

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...