Bukhansan Monument, Stone stele in Yongsan-dong, South Korea
The Bukhansan Monument is a stone stele approximately 1.5 meters tall and 0.7 meters wide, standing on a two-tiered rectangular pedestal. Its surface bears 12 lines of text containing 32 characters carved in a calligraphic style used for official records of that period.
The stele was erected between 561 and 568 to mark Silla's territorial expansion into the Han valley under King Jinheung. It documents the political importance of this region during that kingdom's development.
The inscription records a royal inspection of borders and displays calligraphy typical of official records from that era. Visitors can observe the careful craftsmanship in the characters when viewing the monument at the museum.
The monument is now housed in the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, where it can be viewed alongside other historical artifacts. The museum display allows visitors to examine the inscription and craftsmanship up close.
The stele lay forgotten for centuries until the renowned calligrapher Kim Jeonghui rediscovered it in 1816. This recovery allowed scholars to study and preserve the monument for future generations.
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