The Landscape of Goguryeo Royal Stone-Mound Tombs and the Implications of Funerary Place Named-Royal Titles

Recent research on Goguryeo royal stone-mound tombs reveals that the emergence of Funerary Place Named–Royal Titles and the construction of exclusive, large-scale mound tombs were not merely administrative practices but deliberate manifestations of hierarchical authority. These tombs, characterized by segregated spaces and prominent locations within the capital at Gungnaeseong, contrasted sharply with densely arranged mid- and lower-ranking burials, reinforcing social hierarchy in both everyday life and across generations. The study suggests that Goguryeo rulers used these titles and landscapes to assert and expand their kingship, providing a stable chronological framework for cross-dating material culture across Northeast Asia. While unresolved debates persist regarding the identification of certain tombs, recent proposals have established a relatively consistent correspondence between identifiable kings and their burial sites.

Jang, J. (2025). The Landscape of Goguryeo Royal Stone-Mound Tombs and the Implications of Funerary Place Named-Royal Titles. Korean Ancient Historical Society, 130, 317–350. https://doi.org/10.18040/sgs.2025.130.317