The Reopening of Exhibition Hall II in the Silla History Gallery

By the Editorial Team / With Lee Dongkwan, Associate Curator, Gyeongju National Museum

FROM DECEMBER 15, 2018 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM

The newly opened Exhibition Hall II in the Silla History Gallery at the Gyeongju National Museum highlights the royal tombs and gold culture of Silla within a streamlined setting that is easy to navigate and understand.

Upon entering Exhibition Hall II in the Silla History Gallery, visitors encounter two media boxes mounted at eye level. These displays feature photographs from the excavation of the royal tombs as well as a slideshow of gold artifacts in order to introduce the contents of the exhibition through explanatory images. This reflects the Gyeongju National Museum’s ongoing efforts to reorganize the permanent exhibition areas not simply to present the original artifacts in a new way but in order to create a more visitor-friendly environment that prioritizes the museum visitor.

Exhibition Hall II in the Silla History Gallery features 2,119 artifacts excavated from the royal tombs of Silla. The exhibition is organized around three tombs from the Maripgan period of the Silla Kingdom: Geumgwanchong Tomb, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb, and Cheonmachong Tomb. The exhibition is organized so that the visitor can immediately discern which artifacts were excavated from which tomb. It is a simple arrangement but results in a clearly defined space that facilitates a visitorfriendly experience. In addition, the gallery features various digital contents to enhance the visitor’s experience such as maps showing the location of the royal tombs of Silla, digital magnifying glasses for examining the fine details of the gold artifacts, as well as a digital chart picturing cultural relics that were exchanged along the Silk Road.

In the three-part exhibition, the “Geumgwanchong Tomb” section addresses the interesting question of the identity of a noble character known as “Isajiwang” through displays of excavated artifacts. The part featuring the “Hwangnamdaechong Tomb,” the largest tomb on the Korean Peninsula, includes many displays of excavated artifacts that convey the extravagance of Silla culture and the political might of the king and royal family who were able to install so many valuable objects in their burials. Two of the most well-known items in the Gyeongju National Museum, the Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb (National Treasure No. 188) and the Gold Waist Belt from Cheonmachong Tomb (National Treasure No. 190), are displayed in a separate space to allow visitors time for careful observation. This section of the exhibition featuring the “Cheonmachong Tomb” speaks to the essence of gold metalwork from the Silla Kingdom.

Among many changes brought to Exhibition Hall II after renovation, the most remarkable one is a much more lively viewing experience in which visitors can closely observe and interact with the artifacts. The lighting and timeworn display cases have been replaced with state-of-the-art fixtures and the wall design and flooring have been refurbished for a more engaging viewing experience. The anti-reflective glass selected for the display cases transmits 99 percent of visible light, all but eliminating shimmering and reflective effects. The latest LED fixtures also help to create the optimal viewing environment for the cultural treasures on display. In addition, the display cases are formatted with a new vibration detection system that serves to better protect the artifacts and visitors in cases of earthquakes.

Following the successful reorganization of Exhibition Hall II in the Silla History Gallery, the Gyeongju National Museum plans to refurbish Exhibition Hall I later this year. Through these renovations, the Gyeongju National Museum hopes to create a comfortable space that highlights the beauty of the cultural artifacts and provides welcoming experience for visitors.