Transformation of Wolseong North Ancient Tombs and 6 Bu Organization of the Maripgan Period

This paper aims to trace the 6 bu organization of the Maripgan Period. For this purpose, a comprehensive interpretation was derived by comparing and analyzing the the Wol-seong North Ancient Tombs with the Geumcheok-ri Ancient Tombs and the central tombs constructed in the time period before and after the Wolseong North Ancient Tombs. The formation process of Wolseong North Ancient Tombs cluster consisted of the es-tablishment of the A-1 group, in which the high mounded tombs were built continuously nearby the pre-existing wooden chamber burials to the north, and the establishment of the B and C groups, in which new high mounded tombs were built along the outer wetland boundary, where there was no pre-existing burial ground. Groups A-1, B, and C are con-sidered to correspond to the three initial bu (Tak (喙), Pi (彼), Hangi (漢岐)). Before the divi-sion into 6 bu around the middle to late 4th century, the initial 3 bu were gathered togeth-er in the area of the Wolseong North Ancient Tombs. Subsequently, the A-2 group (centered around Hwangnamdaechong Tomb), which mainly consists of the super-large tombs of Group 1 and Group 2 and the large tombs of Group 3, came to be separated. The reason for this is likely the establishment of a separate burial ground for Gan (干支) status individuals in the center of the capital city. Moving forward to the 5th century, the 6 bu divisions of Tak (喙), Satak (沙喙), Motak (岑喙), Bonpi (本彼), Seupbi (斯彼), and Hangi (漢岐) were completed amid the power struggle between the Maripgan groups. The tomb of King Galmun, the head of Satak-bu, was continuously built in the A-2 burial ground. It is inferred that although the tombs of Motak-bu (the Geumcheok-ri Anceint Tombs) continued to be built at the group’s original burial ground, it followed the arrangement principle pursued by the tombs of Tak-bu and Satak-bu. During the reign of Nulji Maripgan (417-458), the ousted Silseong Maripgan faction separated to form A-3 burial ground (in the area of Tomb No. 119), and at the same time, the foundations for the principle of father to son succession for the Silla throne were estab-lished. Throughout the reign of the three major Maripgans ranging from Nulji to Jabi-Soji, A-4-burial ground (in the area of Bonghwangdae) was seperated to form the burial grounds of the Maripgan clan.