Koguryo tomb complex - World cultural heritage in Korea

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization has recognized Korea's Koguryo Tomb Complex as a World Cultural Heritage in 2004.

The Koguryo Tomb Complex in Pyongyang Province, North Korea is the first monument of this country to be recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Koguryo is known in Vietnamese as Cao Cau Ly as the first dynasty and the most powerful dynasty in Northeast China and the Korean peninsula during the period of the 5th century to the 7th century.

This dynasty was formed in 32 BC in China and moved the capital to Pyongyang in 427.
This tomb complex consists of more than 10,000 tombs - a place of burial and burial of kings and members of the royal family along with nobles of the Cao Cau Ly period. In more than 10,000 tombs only about 100 tombs are decorated with murals. These special graves are said to be burial places for the king, queen and family and princesses and princes.

In many tombs there are buried properties under. Big tombs are also built into many rooms inside. These buildings are built of very solid stone. The ancient people have cleverly cut stone and grinding mound so that they can be stacked on top of each other and then use the soil to create firmness. The ceiling design is also extremely impressive with the clever way to support the weight to be leveled.

With high technology and the creation of tombs in Cao Cau Ly tombs are considered perfect architectural works , is a model for the construction of graves later. The technology to build underground tombs continues to be researched by scientists and archaeologists because of the accuracy and superiority that humans have created hundreds of years ago.

In graves with decorative walls , historians have deciphered many historical stories. The theme and content of the murals in ancient tombs in Kogyryo are extremely diverse and rich: life, religious rituals, customs, food and clothing .

From these paintings, the image of a dynasty is expressed very vivid and authentic. One more surprise is that even though the time is not short, these works are still quite intact and sharp. This shows that the materials used for drawing were carefully selected. Not only the historical meaning and clear evidence of the life of Cao Cau Ly dynasty, these wall paintings are also considered as masterpieces of painting . This also shows the cultural and artistic development of this powerful dynasty. The art of Cao Cau Ly has a great influence on the development of the arts of East Asian countries including Japan.

There was a time when tombs in this Heritage Complex were stolen by hunting hunters because they were royal tombs, mostly buried with wealth. Because of this robbery that some graves were damaged, the murals were also broken. Fortunately, this problem has been overcome promptly so that the graves at this cultural heritage are very strictly protected.

Koguryo tomb complex is recognized by Unesco under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

Criterion (i): The murals of Koguryo tombs are masterpieces representing the culture of the Cao Cau Ly dynasty. In addition, grave construction techniques are also highly appreciated and a testament to the development of construction in this period.

Criterion (ii): The custom of burying the dead of Cao Cau Ly dynasty also created a great influence on other cultures in the region, including Japan.

Criterion (iii): Koguryo tomb complex is a special proof of Cao Cao Ly dynasty culture not only in burial custom but also in belief in religion.

Criterion (iv): Koguryo tomb complex is a typical example of ancient burial custom in general and of Baekje dynasty in particular.