The Patterns and Meanings of Tomb Clusters in the Bronze Age

This study reviewed the clustering patterns of tombs in the Bronze Age to examine the functions and meanings of tomb clusters. In the first half of the Bronze Age, there were two or three small tombs, whose characteristics were a small cluster and sporadic. This means that villages did not enjoy permanent continuity. Entering the second half of the Bronze Age, the era of large tomb clusters began in full scale. Their characteristics are calculated and planned. The investigator reviewed the distribution patterns of tombs in the Wolbaeseonsangji area of Daegu, Igeumdong relic area of Sacheon, and Gainri relic area of Milyang. The tombs appeared in a dot, line, or side shape sometimes, but they are actually distributed in a wide linear form. There was a main row, and it was accompanied by another row branching from the main row, a separate row of small clusters, and a detached low. Tombs of individuals with a relatively higher rank were placed along the main row. As they formed a cluster of tombs in one place, their consciousness as a community would rise over individuality. It would strengthen the concept of relatives and contribute to the emotional integration of the community. As tombs were made along a traffic route, they would serve as a guide like an inland lighthouse. The study reviewed District 1 of Okbang at the Daepyeongri relic of Jinju, the Gahodong relic, and the Manggokri relic of Masan in terms of Hwanhos and tomb clusters and found that tomb clusters were used as travel routes within the village. They must have played the roles of Byeoksa to protect the village in addition to the functions of a travel route. Tomb clusters marked the full-blown start of settlement life, which means that agricultural culture settled down. As agricultural life settled down, leaders appeared. They built tombs as a monument to enhance their authority and began to worship their ancestors. Tomb clusters indicate that they continued such worship consistently.