Cheonmachong

Cheonmachong, also known as the Sky Horse Tomb, is a significant archaeological site located in Gyeongju, South Korea, which dates back to the Silla Kingdom era. The tomb, constructed in the 5th century CE, is a tumulus featuring a wood-lined chamber covered with earth and boulders, typical of Silla burial practices. The archaeological excavation of this site revealed approximately 11,500 artifacts, including a remarkable gold crown, gold girdle, bracelets, rings, and a painted birch bark saddle flap depicting a white horse with wings. These artifacts, along with the horse trappings and evidence of a horse sacrifice, underscore the importance of horses and shamanistic practices in Silla society. The tomb's design is reminiscent of Scytho-Iranian influences, with parallels drawn to similar tombs in Pazyryk, Russia. The combination of high-status burial goods and artistic elements reflects the royal stature of the individual interred, thought possibly to be King Jijeung.