Gujeong-dong Square Tomb

Gujeong-dong Square Tomb is a Unified Silla-era tomb on a hill north of the road from Gyeongju to Bulguksa Temple.

Measuring 9.5m on each side and 2m high, the tomb is square in form. Beneath the earthen mound, retaining stones carved with the twelve zodiac guardians — symbolically protecting the tomb — are arranged around its base. Inside is a rectangular, box-shaped stone-chamber tomb with a horizontal entrance passage, positioned toward the southern part of the mound, with the passage opening from the eastern wall of the burial chamber. Artifacts unearthed include gilt-bronze crown ornaments, silver belt buckles, and silver pendant ornaments. Based on the retaining-stone arrangement, the use of a stone coffin, and the carving technique of the zodiac figures, the tomb is believed to belong to a member of the highest aristocracy from the late Unified Silla period. As the only known square-shaped tomb among all Silla burials, its lineage is unclear, but it's regarded as a forerunner of the square, retaining-stone-equipped tombs that appear in early Goryeo.