Re-examination of Horse Harnesses and Weapons from Tombs No. 93 and 94 at Daeseong-dong, Gimhae : Overlapping Features and the Movement of Relics

The Daeseong-dong Tombs in Gimhae represent a key burial site of Early Gaya, characterized by frequent overlapping of tombs due to later constructions intruding into earlier ones. Tombs No. 93 and No. 94 exemplify this pattern, with Tomb No. 93 intruding into No. 94. Based on stratigraphic relationships and typological analysis of associated artifacts, Tomb No. 94 is dated to the third quarter of the 4th century, and Tomb No. 93 to the early 5th century—indicating a chronological gap of over 50 years. However, several artifacts from Tomb No. 93, including gilt-bronze harness pendants, bridle fittings, and scale armor, stylistically correspond to the 4th century, raising questions about their association with the tomb’s construction date. This discrepancy suggests the need for a reassessment of the depositional context and a more refined chronology of the burial. The grave goods from Tomb No. 93 can be divided into two groups: ① artifacts produced and buried during the early 5th century; and ② artifacts produced in the mid-4th century, likely associated with Tomb No. 94, but subsequently relocated during the construction of Tomb No. 93. Notably, the Glit bronze horse’s-bell reflects stylistic features of the Samyeon culture, while the scale armor displays a distinctive arrangement of perforations, characteristic of 4th-century upper-body armor. These artifacts were either originally dedicated and interred, or were reburied by transferring burial goods from Tomb No. 94 during the construction of Tomb No. 93. However, considering (1) the destruction and overlapping of the two tomb structures, (2) the nature of the items as prestige goods (or foreign-origin artifacts) of equivalent value, and (3) the time gap of more than two quarters between the two tombs, greater weight can be given to the possibility of Movement of Relics.