Distribution pattern and Meaning of Ancient tombs and Remains of daily life and production in the center of Gyeongju During that Shilla was formed

This study examined the distribution of ancient tombs in Downtown Gyeongju from the Shilla was formed, correlating them with the burial and settlement remains to analyze the early Iron Age to the early Three Kingdoms period and the late Three Kingdoms period to early Shilla period chronologically and to discuss the spatial significance in relation to the Wolsong, Hwangseong-dong, and Cheongundong sites. As a result, it is suggested that Downtown Gyeongju, particularly Sajeong-dong 114-1, Gyo-dong 158-2, and Najung, indicates strong evidence that there were human settlements there during the early Iron Age, while settlement communities were established around Tap-dong in the early Three Kingdoms period, considering Tapdong #1 Wooden Gasket Tomb. During the late Three Kingdoms period, mounds were constructed around Wolsong North Burial Cluster, while the settlers were residing in the adjacent Wolsong South-North areas. It is evident that Wolsong had already begun to build wooden chamber tombs and settlement communities from the late 2nd century to the 3rd century. Therefore, it seems that the dominating power that formed the Wolsong North Burial Cluster acted as the governing power and Wolseong was the center of Saroguk at least by the initial phase of wooden chamber tomb construction. During the Shilla was formed, the tombs were clustered in and around Wolsong North Burial Cluster, forming collective burial grounds with shared graveyards. In terms of layout, there was a distinct trend towards rectangular shapes and it has highly possible that there were large-scale settlements forming around Balcheon and the Wolsong North. In particular, the residential areas were carefully planned to reorganize the spatial layout alongside the construction of Wolsong. In interpreting the growth of power within Wolsong North Burial Cluster, emphasis was placed on production facilities. Specifically, the ironworks and pottery kilns discovered at the Hwangseong-dong and Cheongun-dong sites became the driving force behind the Wolsong North Burial Cluster's authority. Additionally, it is possible that earthenware was supplied to the settlements of Deokcheon-ri as there were two kilns discovered at the Sangsin-ri site in the southern region. However, unlike pottery kilns, it was assumed that ironworks were monopolized by the Wolsong North Burial Cluster's authority, including operations at Dalcheon Mines. In conclusion, it is possible that the authority of Wolsong North Burial Cluster applied the principle of monopoly of ironworks through the ironworks at the Hwangseong-dong and Cheongun-dong sites and Dalcheon Mines to internal and external economic and political growth and took advantage of some spatial features of the area such as Hyeongsan River Trail.