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| ▲ This photo, shows the city of Kaesong, North Korea from Paju city. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korea claimed that it has recently excavated a tomb that is believed to be a royal tomb of the 25th King of Goryeo, King Chungnyeol of Goryeo.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 20th, "A new mural tomb, recognized as a royal tomb of the Goryeo Dynasty, has been newly excavated at about 1.2km southwest of the site of Haseon-ri, Kaesong."
It was conveyed that along with the tomb of Princess Jeguk, the wife of King Chungryeol, being located about 250 meters east to this tomb, it is also documented that "the tomb of King Chungryeol, is located about 12ri (about 4km) to the west of Kaesong" which is why it is expected to be the tomb of King Chungnyeol.
The North Korean Archaeological Society has judged based on the architectural type, size, and relics of the tomb and has concluded that it was a royal tomb built in the 14th century.
The tomb was divided into four sections with granite retaining wall stacked like stairs.
The first section, located at the highest point, consists of a stone railing, stone balustrade and mangdu-seok (stone pillars erected in front or on both sides of the tomb).
In the second and fourth section, it becomes lower step by step from the first section. While the second and third section consists of a human-shaped stone statue each, in the final fourth section, it contains the site of shrine.
A hole was made in the eastern wall of the tomb so that the soul of the dead person would be able to go out. On the floor, there was a Jade book (a book made with pieces of jade) and some gold-plated iron products along with fragments of murals.
The excavation work was carried out jointly by the Archaeological Research Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage of the National heritage protection of the Joseon Dynasty, and the Department of History at Kaesong Normal University.
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