The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (hereinafter NRICH, General Director Lim Jong-deock) under Korea Heritage Service (hereinafter KHS) is hosting the International Symposium on of the World Archaeology jointly with the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (hereinafter ICCROM, Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral). This International Symposium, centered around the theme “World Archaeology: Ancient Royal Tombs” will be held for two days from October 29 (Tue.) to October 30 (Wed.) at KOUS, Korea Cultural House (Gangnam-gu, Seoul) and Seoul Olympic Parktel (Songpa-gu, Seoul).

This year’s Symposium was organized as an extension of the cultural property preservation and restoration MOU concluded last year between NRICH and ICCROM, which aims to highlight Korea current standing in terms of ancient tomb inspection and preservation policies by examining cases of ancient royal tomb research around the world and raise the public’s awareness of the significance of cultural heritage.

The first day (Oct. 29) will feature a seminar targeting non-expert audiences and chaired by Choi Tae-seong (Director, Everyone's Unique Korean History Institute). The seminar will be composed of two parts: Part I with three topic presentations and Part II with talk concert. In Part I, experts on ancient royal tombs from Korea, Peru, and Mexico will offer the following presentations.

▲ “New Insights from the Latest Tombs of Sipán and Their Cultural Impact” by Ceyra Pasapera Rojas, Acting Director, Huaca Rajada-Sipán Site Museum;

▲ “Recent Analysis on the Conservation Status of Pakal’s Tomb”, Haydeé Orea Magaña, Conservation Section, INAH Chiapas Center;

▲ “Development of Ancient Korean Tombs and Royal Tombs of Maripgans of the Silla Dynasty” by Choi Byeong-hyeon, Professor Emeritus, Soongsil University

In Part II, the chair and presenters will further share their knowledge and opinions about the properties introduced in Part I.

On the second day (Oct. 30), specialized presentations on the royal tombs found in Sipán, Peru, and King Pakal’s tomb in Palenque, Mexico, will be conducted for archaeological experts. ICCROM will also make a two presentations.

▲ “Setting the scene for archaeological heritage conservation”, Tomas Meraz Castano, Movable Heritage Officer, ICCROM;

▲ “Heritage place approach to archaeological heritage management”, Nicole Franceschini, World Heritage Leadership Programme Officer, ICCROM

Following the topic presentations, a lively discussion on ways to more effectively inspect and preserve ancient royal tombs and the roles of ancient royal tombs in the 21st century from an international perspective will be chaired by Professor Kang Bong-won of Gyeongju University and Professor Lee Seong-ju of Kyungpook National University.

Event attendance is open to anyone interested in the subject and will be streamed in real time via NRICH’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@nrichstory).

This Symposium is expected to shed light on the value of Korea national heritage and provide motivation for seeking better solutions for their protection by sharing cases of research on and preservation of major cultural properties around the world. NRICH will continue to work closely with ICCROM to ensure that Korea’s important cultural properties are properly studied, preserved, and recognized at the global level.