- APEC 2025 Korea Tour Program: October 30 – November 1, Jjoksaem Archaeological Exhibition Hall, Gyeongju -

The Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Director: Seung-kyung Lim) will hold a Public Presentation of the Jjoksaem Tomb No. 44 Construction Experiment from October 30 to November 1, 2025, at the Jjoksaem Archaeological Exhibition Hall in Gyeongju during APEC 2025.

* Venue: 1st Floor, Jjoksaem Archaeological Exhibition Hall, 788 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju

* Open to the public: guided tours only; explanations available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese

Jjoksaem Tomb No. 44, believed to be the burial site of a young female member of the Silla royal family, underwent extensive excavation and interdisciplinary research from 2014 to 2023. The investigations revealed the tomb’s complete construction process and techniques and uncovered over 800 artifacts, including a mudguard adorned with jewel beetles, making it one of the most iconic tombs of the Silla period.

Since 2024, researchers have conducted a construction experiment to rebuild the tomb, building on ten years of excavation and research and drawing attention as a unique project in the history of world archaeology.

The experiment is now in progress, focusing on building the wooden structure inside the stone mound, placing the deceased and burial goods in a section of the double chamber, and stacking stones around it. These activities collectively constitute the eighth stage of the tomb’s 21-step construction process.

Researchers who participated in the excavations will host a three-day presentation during APEC 2025 in Gyeongju, running from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will give guided tours every 30 minutes in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

* Tours are on the hour and half-hour from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00–1:00 p.m.)

The presentation will proceed in five stages:

(1) presenters will provide an overview of the excavation results of Jjoksaem Tomb No. 44,

(2) they will explain the purpose and sequence of the construction experiment,

(3) they will describe key features such as the double chamber, wooden structure, and stone mound,

(4) they will demonstrate the methods and tools used to build the double chamber and its cover, and

(5) they will guide participants in viewing the actual artifacts.

As part of the APEC 2025 Korea Tour Program, one of the official programs of APEC 2025 Gyeongju, this event invites domestic and international visitors to a vivid experience of Silla’s history and culture.

The Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will continue to host diverse academic events for audiences from Korea and abroad to promote Silla’s rich culture worldwide.