The Twin Column Tomb (Korean쌍기둥무덤) is a two-chambered burial tomb dating from Koguryo period. It is located in Nampo, North Korea. It is listed as a National Treasure of North Korea for the painting on the north wall of the back chamber.[1] The tomb was discovered by the Japanese during their occupation of the Korean Peninsula.[2]

Twin Column Tomb
Chosŏn'gŭl
쌍기둥무덤
Revised RomanizationSsanggidungmudeom
McCune–ReischauerSsanggidungmudŏm
Alternative name
Chosŏn'gŭl
쌍영총
Hancha
雙楹塚
Revised RomanizationSsangyeongchong
McCune–ReischauerSsangyŏngch'ong

At the Korea International War Crimes Tribunal in June 2001, the DPRK alleged that US Forces used the tomb "to lock up and torture our innocent civilians, during which the frescos were ruthlessly destroyed".[3]

The paintings edit

The plaster walls of the tomb were richly decorated with people riding chariots and horses, as well as a musical band. They have all now but disappeared. A portion of the wall painting showing a horse rider was affixed to the wall in 1913, when the tomb was investigated by the Japanese; it later came to Joseon Government-General Museum and is now in the collection of the National Museum of Korea.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Twin Pillars Tomb". University of Pennsylvania. 2014. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  2. ^ Chua, Pei Jun (Jermaine) (2011). "III. UNESCO: bringing Koguryo heritage to the international stage". The Making of China's Koguryo: Political Motivations and Cultural Strategies in the Borderlands (PDF) (M.A.). National University of Singapore. Retrieved January 2, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Investigation Committee, National Front for Democratic Unification (June 2001). "2. Report from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on U.S. War Crimes During the Korean War. IV. Plunder of Cultural Treasures and the People's Property". iacenter.org. International Action Center. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "Collection Highlights-Fragment of a Mural Featuring a Horse Rider". National Museum of Korea. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.