A Study on the Construction Period of Goguryeo Tomb Made of Open-Ended Stones with Small Rooms on Both Sides

Research on Goguryeo tombs, specifically those constructed with open-ended stones featuring small side chambers, reveals that these structures were built exclusively in the Zian region during a brief period between 5C 2/4 and 5C 3/4. This study, analyzing seven such tombs through structural characteristics and artifact dating, challenges previous assumptions about their construction timeline and the status of their occupants. Notably, Usanha 540, one of Goguryeo's largest tombs, is identified not as a royal burial but rather as that of a high-ranking noble figure. These findings provide a critical benchmark for dating other Goguryeo tombs, bridging the transition from stone to clay tomb construction methods.

Ju, H. (2025). A Study on the Construction Period of Goguryeo Tomb Made of Open-Ended Stones with Small Rooms on Both Sides. The Paek-San Society, 131, 57–84. https://doi.org/10.52557/tpsh.2025.131.57