Interpretation of Construction Procedures and Material Characteristics for the Fifth Century Gaya Tomb (Durak-ri No. 36 in Namwon), Korea

This study investigated the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics regarding the soil layer of the burial mound constituting the Durak-ri No. 36 tomb though various material analysis, and archaeometric discussed their homogeneity and construction techniques. A material analysis of the soil of the southwestern and southern soil layers of the tomb revealed that the layered soil was embanked by acquiring the soil from nearby sources, which had the same origin and a similar weathering process. Despite lack of meticulous selection process for the soil utilized in constructing the burial mound, there were selection and mixture in some soil layers. The construction process of the target ancient tomb must have involved three civil engineering stages in the order of flattening the boundary of a grave, installing the principal agent facilities of the burial and alternately embanking the burial mound with arrangement of the boundary. In this respect, the sources of stone production and the development of soil layers, both necessary for the construction of the ancient tombs, are considered to have been sufficient in the Durak-ri area. Moreover, the group presence of engineers can be inferred, who could design stone chambers and burial mounds using these resources, simultaneously implemented civil engineering technology, and engaged in mutual exchange and propagation.