Tomb No. 36 of Yugok-ri and Durak-ri, Namwon —Tombs and their political and military significance in the Border Region

Yugok-ri Tomb No. 36 is a Daegaya-type stone chamber; the appearance of such Dae-gaya-type stone chambers was influenced by Baekje. Therefore, it can be said that the influence of the Baekje stone chamber is also observed in the stone chamber of Yugok-ri Tomb No. 36. However, this stone chamber was not built under the direct influence of Baekje. This is because, among the stone chambers of the Sabi region of the same peri-od, there is no comparable case to this. We therefore need to understand the construction of this stone chamber from the construction tradition of the Daegaya region, where stone chamber types that share similar properties exist. However, the extent of the Daegaya king's authority did not extend to regulating the construction of these stone chambers. This can be inferred from the lack of standardization observed in these stone chambers. This suggests that the will of the local group was greatly involved in the construction of the new stone chamber. Yugok-ri Tomb No. 36 was built within the existing burial ground, and considering that Daegaya-type stone chambers were present in this burial ground, it is presumed that this is where the descendants of the group that built Daegaya-type pit-type stone chambers were buried. A Silla belt ornament of the late 6th century was excavated from Yugok-ri Tomb No. 36. It is believed that this was added after the Unbong Highland area was occupied by Silla. This suggests that Silla viewed the Unbong Highland area as a key strategic point and tried to bring local influential people under its control. Meanwhile, in the Ayeong area, a small number of Silla stone chambers were built amongst the existing tombs, but no cases of clustering have yet to be confirmed. The Un-bong Highland area was a strategic military point between Silla and Baekje. Therefore, no country was able to include this region within the territory under its control in a stable manner. Accordingly, it is believed that few stone chambers from Silla or Baekje were built.