This study examined Daegaya’s political system and social structure, and the characteristics of the building group of the ancient tombs of Bongwan-ri, focusing on the golden age of Daegaya, from the late 5th century to the early 6th century. The political system of Daegaya was examined with emphasis on the regional confederation theory and the ancient state theory. From an archaeological point of view, the ancient state theory can fit Daegaya as the size of the tombs and prestigious items of local heads under Daegaya’s control show an organic relevance with the Goryeong group. However, with regard to the content of literatures, the Daegaya confederation theory cannot be ignored. In other words, it seems necessary to divide it into a number of indirectly controlled areas that had strong autonomy and retained the country’s name externally, and the strength of the alliance would have varied depending on the distance from Goryeong Gara. Unlike Silla and Baekje, Daegaya’s indirect control over its affiliated countries would not have been strong. Daegaya was on the path to becoming an ancient state at a later stage of social development than Baekje and Silla, and it would be appropriate to see it as an early state. The structural characteristics and prestigious goods of the ancient tombs of Bongwan-ri, Goryeong, belonging to the Daegaya’s royal capital are similar to or even superior to those of local heads in the Daegaya region. The ancient tombs of Bongwan-ri is located in the northern part of Daegaya’s capital, and judging from the location and excavated artifacts, it is identified as an influential group that played an important role in the defense of Daegaya’s capital.
Dong‐Hee Lee (Wed,) studied this question.