Seokchon-dong Tombs, Seoul

A Goguryeo-style Baekje stone mound built in the early Baekje period 

Located within a 8-minute walk from Exit 7 of Seokchon Station, the first station from Jamsil Station on Seoul Subway Line 10, the Seokchon-dong Tombs in Seoul are Goguryeo-style stone mound tombs built in the early Baekje period when Baekje established its capital in the Han River basin in Seoul. At the time of the survey in 1916, there were around 90 stone mound tombs and pit graves in the area, and the name "Seokchon" (Seokchon) of the town was derived from the large number of stone mound tombs.

However, most of the tombs were destroyed due to urban development, and only the third and fourth stone mounds remained at the time of the survey in 1974. In 3, this area was designated a cultural heritage protection district, and during the construction of the Baekje Tomb Park, the first and second stone mounds were excavated.

The Seokchon-dong Tomb Group looks similar to the stone mound tombs with a platform that were developed in Goguryeo, but their internal structure is slightly different from that of Goguryeo. Stone Mound No. 3 is in the Goguryeo style, with the inside and outside of the tomb entirely made of stone, while Stone Mound No. 2 and Stone Mound No. 4 are Baekje-style tombs with a stone platform and outer steps and the interiors filled with earth.

Additionally, Stone Tomb No. 1, of which only the foundation remains, has two tombs connected north and south, with the southern tomb being Goguryeo-style and the northern tomb being Baekje-style. Baekje earthenware, roof tiles, and gold earrings have been excavated inside and around the tombs. Stone Tomb No. 3 is a huge tomb measuring 50m in diameter and 4.5m in height, and is believed to be a royal tomb from around the late 4th century.

The early Baekje stone mounds in Seokchon-dong are archaeological evidence proving that the founding forces of Baekje were immigrants of Goguryeo descent. It is estimated that the stone mounds in the Seokchon-dong area began to be built in the mid-3rd century, indicating the period when Baekje was taking shape as a fully-fledged ancient nation.