Social ranking in the Kingdom of Old Silla, Korea: Analysis of burials

https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-4165(89)90005-6Get rights and content

Abstract

Examination of 131 burials of the Old Silla Kingdom, southeastern Korea, of the mid-4th to mid-6th centuries A.D., gives the major burial types, orientation, method of construction, and relationship of tomb typology to sex of the deceased (for a subsample). From a cluster analysis of 62 graves, according to the presence and absence of 96 types of nonceramic grave goods, five elite rank groups are inferred. The results of the analyses and our interpretations are compared with expectations of Silla burials based on historical descriptions of the kolp'um castelike rank system from several centuries later, and the comparison seems to confirm that the clusters are in fact status groups within the rulers and the aristocracy. Our analysis is further compared with studies by Pyong-hyon Ch'oe (1980, Hanguksa Yongu 31:1–59; 1981, Hanguksa Yongu 32:1–49), AkioIto (1972, Chosen Gakuho 64:15–73), and Toshihiko Morimitsu (1983, Bunkazai Ronso: Bunkazai Kenkyujo Soritsu 30-shu-nen Kinen Rombunshu, pp. 985–1014). The clusters follow closely those recognized by Ch'oe in his analysis of status groups by tomb construction and generally crosscut the other two groupings which were set up to monitor chronological changes. Spatial plotting of the members of the five clusters shows that one, of the highest status, is segregated in one area of Kyongju City; this is thought to be the burial area of the Kim family.

References (63)

  • C.M. Aikens et al.

    The prehistory of Japan

    (1982)
  • Wakou Anazawa et al.

    Koshiragi funkyubo shutsudo no kanto tachi

    Chosen Gakuho

    (1987)
  • W.G. Aston

    Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697

    (1956)
  • Kyoichi Arimitsu

    Keishu Konan-ri dai 82, 83 go fun chosa (Investigation report of tomb Nos. 82 and 83 at Hwangnam-ni, Kyongju)

    Kyoichi Arimitsu

    Kogo-ri dai 54-go fun Otsu-zuka (Ul-ch'ong, tomb No. 54 at Hwang'o-ri), and Kogo-ri dai 54-go fun Go-zuka (Kap-ch'ong, tomb No. 54 at Hwang'o-ri) in Arimitsu Kyoichi, Keishu Kofun (Tombs in Kyongju)

  • L.S. Binford

    Mortuary practices: Their study and their potential

  • D.P. Braun

    A critique of some recent North American mortuary studies

    American Antiquity

    (1981)
  • B.H. Chamberlain

    The Kojiki: Records of ancient matters

    (1982)
  • V.G. Childe

    Directional changes in funerary practices during 50,000 years

    Man

    (1945)
  • Hong-sop Chin et al.

    Kyongju Inwang-dong che 149-ho kobun palgul chosa pogo (Excavation report of Tomb No. 149 at Inwang-dong, Kyongju)

  • Pyong-hyon Ch'oe

    Ko Silla choksok mokkwakpun yongu: Myohyong kwa ku songgyok ul chungsimuro (Part 1) (Study of the piled stone wooden chamber tomb of Old Silla: On the tomb types and their characteristics) (Part 1)

    Hanguksa Yongu

    (1980)
    Pyong-hyon Ch'oe

    Ko Silla choksok mokkwakpun yongu: Myohyong kwa ku songgok ul chungsimuro (Part 2) (Study of the piled stone wooden chamber tomb of Old Silla). (Part 2)

    Hanguksa Yongu

    (1981)
    Pyong-hyon Ch'oe

    Shiragi kofun no hennen ni tsuite (Concerning the chronology of Silla tombs)

    Chosen Gakuho

    (1987)
  • Yong-ho Ch'oe

    An outline of the history of Korean historiography

    Korean Studies

    (1980)
  • Chosen Sotokufu
  • A.L. Christensen et al.

    Numerical taxonomy, R-mode factor analysis and archaeological classification

    American Antiquity

    (1977)
  • G. Clark

    Symbols of excellence

    (1986)
  • R. Cordy

    The reconstruction of social ranking: A response to Kirch

    Journal of the Polynesian Society

    (1981)
  • J. Friedman et al.

    The evolution of social systems

    (1977)
  • K.J.H. Gardiner

    The early history of Korea

    (1969)
  • L.G. Goldstein

    Mississippian mortuary practices: A case study of two cemeteries in the Lower Illinois Valley

    (1980)
  • Kosaku Hamada

    Keishu no Kinrei-zuka (The Kumgwan-ch'ong of Kyongju)

    (1932)
  • Kosaku Hamada et al.

    Keishu Kinrei-zuka to Sono Iho (The Kumgwan-ch'ong and its treasures)

    (1924)
  • I. Hodder

    Symbols in action: Ethnoarchaeological studies of material culture

    (1982)
  • F.R. Hodson

    Quantifying Hallstatt: Some initial results

    American Antiquity

    (1977)
  • Sa-jun Hong et al.

    Hwang'o-ri 4, 5 ho Kobun, Hwangnam-ni P'agoe Kobun Palgul Chosa Pogo

  • Ilyon

    Samguk Yusa: Legends and history of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea

    (1972)
  • Akio Ito

    Mimikazari no keishikigakuteki kenkyu ni motozuku Kankoku Koshiragi jidai kofun no hennen ni kansuru ichi shian (A tentative chronology of the tombs of Old Silla, Korea, based on a typological study of earrings)

    Chosen Gakuho

    (1972)
    Akio Ito

    Shiragi kofun shutsudo no soshingu to bagu (Ornaments and horse gear found in Silla burial mounds)

    Chosen Gakuho

    (1987)
  • Sang-woon Jeon

    Science and technology in Korea: Traditional instruments and techniques

    (1974)
  • J.H.E. Kidder

    Japan before Buddhism

    (1966)
  • Che-won Kim

    Ho'u-ch'ong kwa Unryong-ch'ong (Ho'u Tomb and Silver Bell Tomb)

  • Che-won Kim et al.

    Ssangsang-ch'ong, Ma-ch'ong, Noso-ri 138-ho Pun Chosa Pogo (Excavation report of the Double Funeral Bed Tomb, Horse Tomb, and tomb No. 138 at Noso-ri)

  • Cited by (0)

    1

    Funding was granted to R. Pearson by the Joint Committee for Korean Studies, SSRC-ACLS, and the University of British Columbia. Jong-wook Lee recorded and prepared all of the data. Wonyoung Koh prepared the base map and list of sources of data, did extra translation, and performed research on the chronology section. Anne Underhill executed the first cluster analysis, and subsequent computer analyses were done by Virginia Green, Faculty of Arts Computing Center, UBC. Diagrams were prepared by Moira Irvine.

    View full text