By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
A pair of gilt bronze shoes from the 5th century Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660) were recently unearthed in North Jeolla Province. They are the most well-preserved among ancient shoes discovered in the country, said experts.
The openwork shoes have a sole featuring a dragon and 18 spikes that form the shape of a flower. The heels are decorated with wrestler figures that resemble those found in the Jangcheon Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668) tomb mural. ``The wrestler figures have no parallel in history,'' said Choi Wang-gyu, head of the Mahan Baekje Culture Institute, Wongkwang University. Also featured on the heels of the shoes are a phoenix and other auspicious motifs. Remnants of foot bones were also found.
The shoes were excavated in a tomb bearing strong 5th century Mahan (ancient tribal confederation based in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula) influence. The mausoleum features five chamber tombs and two jar-coffin interments under one tomb mound. Roof tiles were discovered in one of the chambers, suggesting that a ``wajeup'' (tiled roof edifice) was constructed over the burial mound ― the first such case in the region.
The excavation project began June 25 in Bongdeok-li, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun. Other unearthed relics include a Chinese celadon porcelain and earthenware that resemble those from Japan's Gohun Period.
Two pairs of gold earrings, a bamboo leaf-shaped headpiece, a silver saucer, an iron quiver, earthenware, equestrian gear and different types of grain were also disinterred.
"The fact that Baekje and Chinese relics as well as Japanese-style ones were found in a Mahan tomb is very interesting,'' said Choi.