Classic Murals Discovered in Milyang

A colored mural presumed to be painted during the Koryo Dynasty (877-1394) was recently discovered in Kobup-Ri, Milyang County, south of Kyungsang province.

Similar murals are usually found in the vicinity of the limestone tombs belonging to some of the time's most respected aristocrats. The particular mural in Milyang City was to be owned by Park Ik (1332-1398), a prestigious noble who served as a diplomat during the late Koryo Dynasty.

All the characters and tools depicted in the mural represent the life and customs of the Koryo Dynasty.

Among the Koryo murals discovered near limestone tombs are those at the Kuchang burial mound (1970), and at the stone-chambered tomb in Paju, Kyounggi Province (1991), both located by the National Research Institute for Cultural Assets.

The colored mural recently discovered in Milyang is positioned in a stone-chambered tomb surrounded by four walls. Following a traditional technique of fresco paintings, the mural was drawn on top of a surface that was once covered by stone powder.

The clothes worn by the parading court ladies reveal the garment culture of that specific period, and their positioning displays each person's social status.

The Cultural Property Association and the Committee for Cultural Assets are conducting further scientific research on the subject and will decide on the artifacts' categorization, as well as their preservation plans.

The classical painting found in Milyang was discovered by one of Park's descendants while he was rebuilding a tomb struck by the Saomai typhoon.

by Park So-young