Cheonmachong, Archaeological tomb site in Gyeongju, South Korea
Cheonmachong, also known as the Tomb of the Heavenly Horse, is a large burial mound from the 5th or 6th century in Daereungwon park in Gyeongju, South Korea. The mound rises about 40 feet (12 meters) high and spans roughly 160 feet (50 meters) across, covering a wooden burial chamber oriented from east to west.
Excavations at the site began on April 16, 1973, as part of a wider effort to study the royal mounds of the Silla kingdom in Gyeongju. More than 11,000 objects came out of the dig, including a gold crown, jade ornaments, and a long bronze sword.
The name Cheonmachong means "tomb of the heavenly horse," and it comes from an image painted on a piece of saddle cloth found inside. Today, that winged horse is everywhere in Gyeongju, printed on postcards, mugs, and other keepsakes sold throughout the city.
Cheonmachong sits inside Daereungwon park in Gyeongju, and the interior of the mound has been made accessible and set up for visitors to walk through. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, as the park is large and the paths between the mounds can be uneven.
Despite the thousands of objects recovered from inside, no one has been able to identify who was buried there. The gold crown and the other royal-quality items suggest a ruler, but the question remains open.
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