Crowns of Silla

The Silla crowns were uncovered in the tumuli of Gyeongju, South Korea, the capital of Silla and Unified Silla. Silla tumuli, unlike their Baekje and Goguryeo counterparts were made inaccessible because the tombs did not include passageways and corridors. Instead, deep pits were dug and lined with wood and this is where the treasures and coffin were placed. These burial pits were covered in dirt and sealed with clay and then the surface was covered with massive river boulders which were then covered with massive mounds of dirt. The heavy boulders also served to push the tombs deeper into the ground , thus making them even more inaccessible. The Silla burial mechanism made it so that grave robbers and foreign invaders could never steal their precious contents. Some of the crowns are made of pure gold and were probably reserved for kings. Other crowns have been discovered made from gilt-bronze or gold-plated bronze, probably for princes or lesser kings. Silla crowns have been excavated from the 5th century Gold Crown Tomb, and the 6th century Gold Bell Tomb and Heavenly Horse Tomb. The adoption of Buddhism by the Silla kings in 528 A.D. led to the eventual decline of the practice of burying gold artifacts in tombs and by the end of the sixth century the practice had stopped. == Historical background ==

Silla has developed a culture of ambition and delicate style, and after unification, it shows a more splendid and refined aspect. Relics excavated from various tombs of Silla have many ornaments from the ruling class of Silla. == Symbolism of the crown ==

, Afghanistan and is estimated to be from the first or second century. The style of the crown strongly suggests a Scytho-Iranian connection with Korea. The styling of the outer part of the crowns suggests a Korean connection with the Scytho-Iranians (Saka) through contact with people of the Eurasian steppe. The crowns are a uniquely Korean product and show no Chinese influence. The Silla crown is also notably distinct from the crown of Baekje, the crown of Gaya, and the crown of Goguryeo kingdoms. The tree motif of the crown is commonly believed to represent the idea of the world tree which was an important tenet of Siberian and Iranian shamanism. However, some believe that the trident-like protrusions symbolize mountains or even birds. Additionally, the antler-like prongs also indicate a strong connection to Korean Shamanism or the importance of the reindeer. A crown in Afghanistan (see image) bears a strong resemblance to the other Korean crowns which is also evidence of a Scytho-Iranian connection. Additionally, the sophisticated metalworking of the crowns of Silla show that Silla gold smiths held an advanced knowledge of working with gold. Some have even theorized that these advanced goldworking techniques, such as granulation and filigree, came from the Greek or the Etruscan people, especially because Silla tumuli also contain beads and glassware which came from as far away as the Mediterranean Sea. But research and historical documents suggest a Persian connection or even origin. It is worth noting, however, that the Silla smiths achieved a level of micro-granulation that is arguably more delicate than many contemporary Western examples. In terms of pure technical skill, Silla goldworking is considered peerless for its era. While Greek jewelry reached its technical peak earlier (Hellenistic period, 323–31 BCE), the Silla period (specifically the 5th century) produced works that were technically more complex in their mechanical assembly. a Silla crown is not a single cast object; it is an assembly of hundreds of individual parts (spangles, jade, wire, and sheet gold) that require a sophisticated understanding of tension and structural integrity. The Silla artisans also mastered the "cold-joining" of gold, allowing for pieces that were flexible and dynamic. made in 5-6th century exhibited at Musée Guimet in Paris. Iron objects were introduced to the Korean peninsula through trade with chiefdoms and state-level societies in the Yellow Sea area in the 4th century BC, just at the end of the Warring States Period but before the Western Han dynasty began. The delicate nature of the gold crowns comes from the fact they were made from cutting thin sheet gold. The crown is impractical to wear and some believe that the crown may have been made specifically as a burial good. diplomatic stage, where U.S. President Trump received a replica of the Cheonmachong Crown from the Korean government, illustrating how this ancient crown continues to play a diplomatic role linking Korea with the United States. This is interpreted as South Korea's hope for expanded U.S. cooperation to establish peaceful relations with North Korea. This interpretation is grounded in the unifying spirit of the APEC host city, which is famous for its gold crown and known as the first unified kingdom in ancient times. == Lists of Crowns of Silla ==

South Korea has officially designated some Silla crowns as national treasures (), others as treasures (). == See also ==