Teen King’s Teeth Discovered in Ancient Baekje Tomb in Korea
Sharon Jung / Published June 17, 2025 11:57 AM
Sharon Jung
GONGJU, South Korea — Two molars believed to have belonged to King Samgeun, the 23rd monarch of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – A.D. 668), have been unearthed in Gongju, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the brief, turbulent reign of a teenage king from 1,500 years ago.
Panoramic view of the Tomb of King Muryeong and the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
According to a press release by the Korea Heritage Service on Tuesday, the teeth were discovered during a reinvestigation of Tomb No. 2, one of four royal tombs located northeast of the Tomb of King Muryeong in Geumsong-dong, South Chungcheong Province. Alongside the molars, archaeologists uncovered ornate gold earrings inlaid with blue glass beads and a gold-gilded silver ring.
Assorted glass beads from Tomb No. 1 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
Forensic analysis confirmed that the teeth belonged to an adolescent in their mid- to late teens. Based on the age and archaeological context, researchers believe the remains likely belonged to King Samgeun, who ascended the throne at age 13 and ruled from A.D. 465 to 479. He was the grandson of King Gaero, the 21st monarch of Baekje.
Human remains from royal tombs of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. – A.D. 668) are exceptionally rare, making this discovery especially significant. The artifacts also suggest that the tomb's occupant reigned during the early Ungjin period (475–538), when Baekje’s capital had moved to what is now Gongju.
Decorative earrings excavated from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
“This is a remarkable find,” said the Buyeo National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, which has led the excavation. “The results suggest that individuals buried in Tombs No. 1 through 4 were royals directly descended from King Gaero, including King Munju and King Samgeun.”
Decorative earrings excavated from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
The royal lineage during the Ungjin era proceeded as follows: King Gaero (21st), his son King Munju (22nd), his grandson King Samgeun (23rd), King Dongseong (24th), and King Muryeong (25th).
The layout of Tombs No. 1 through 4 follows a west-to-east alignment and had previously been disturbed during the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945). This marks the first excavation in 96 years, following a 1929 investigation by Japanese scholar Garube Zion.
Two molars unearthed from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong, presumed to belong to King Samgeun of Baekje [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
In addition to the molars and earrings, the excavation team discovered a ring with a gold-striped design, stylistically linked to artifacts from the Hwangnamdaechong Tomb in Gyeongju — a sign of close ties between early Ungjin-period Baekje and the neighboring Silla Kingdom.
The heritage institute will hold on-site public briefings at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at the excavation site in Geumsong-dong.
Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com
GONGJU, South Korea — Two molars believed to have belonged to King Samgeun, the 23rd monarch of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – A.D. 668), have been unearthed in Gongju, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the brief, turbulent reign of a teenage king from 1,500 years ago.
Panoramic view of the Tomb of King Muryeong and the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
According to a press release by the Korea Heritage Service on Tuesday, the teeth were discovered during a reinvestigation of Tomb No. 2, one of four royal tombs located northeast of the Tomb of King Muryeong in Geumsong-dong, South Chungcheong Province. Alongside the molars, archaeologists uncovered ornate gold earrings inlaid with blue glass beads and a gold-gilded silver ring.
Assorted glass beads from Tomb No. 1 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
Forensic analysis confirmed that the teeth belonged to an adolescent in their mid- to late teens. Based on the age and archaeological context, researchers believe the remains likely belonged to King Samgeun, who ascended the throne at age 13 and ruled from A.D. 465 to 479. He was the grandson of King Gaero, the 21st monarch of Baekje.
Human remains from royal tombs of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. – A.D. 668) are exceptionally rare, making this discovery especially significant. The artifacts also suggest that the tomb's occupant reigned during the early Ungjin period (475–538), when Baekje’s capital had moved to what is now Gongju.
Decorative earrings excavated from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
“This is a remarkable find,” said the Buyeo National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, which has led the excavation. “The results suggest that individuals buried in Tombs No. 1 through 4 were royals directly descended from King Gaero, including King Munju and King Samgeun.”
Decorative earrings excavated from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
The royal lineage during the Ungjin era proceeded as follows: King Gaero (21st), his son King Munju (22nd), his grandson King Samgeun (23rd), King Dongseong (24th), and King Muryeong (25th).
The layout of Tombs No. 1 through 4 follows a west-to-east alignment and had previously been disturbed during the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945). This marks the first excavation in 96 years, following a 1929 investigation by Japanese scholar Garube Zion.
Two molars unearthed from Tomb No. 2 at the Royal Tombs in Gongju, South Chungcheong, presumed to belong to King Samgeun of Baekje [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]
In addition to the molars and earrings, the excavation team discovered a ring with a gold-striped design, stylistically linked to artifacts from the Hwangnamdaechong Tomb in Gyeongju — a sign of close ties between early Ungjin-period Baekje and the neighboring Silla Kingdom.
The heritage institute will hold on-site public briefings at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at the excavation site in Geumsong-dong.
