Why Gaya Should Be Called the Four-Kingdom Era, Not the Three-Kingdom Era

Rewriting the 600-Year Chronicle of Gaya, a Long-Missing Piece on Our Historical Map

• Understand why the history we know as the ‘Three Kingdoms Era’ should actually be the ‘Four Kingdoms Era.’
• Confirm Gaya’s stature through the UNESCO World Heritage “Gaya Tumuli.”
• Learn how Gaya was a powerful independent state through iron, diplomacy, and culture.

Do You Know the Lost Kingdom, Gaya?

Was Gaya (伽倻) just a small country squeezed between Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla in our history? Like many, I learned about Gaya only briefly within the framework of the ‘Three Kingdoms Era’ during school. But did you know that Gaya, the forgotten fourth kingdom in the historical puzzle, flourished as an independent civilization for nearly 600 years?

In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the ‘Gaya Tumuli’ as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its value worldwide. This officially acknowledges Gaya as “an important proof of the diversity of ancient East Asian civilizations.” Now it is time for us to redraw our historical map ourselves. Let’s enter the heart of the lost kingdom, Gaya.

Evidence Beneath the Ground: The UNESCO-Recognized Gaya Tumuli

Though most records were lost by the victorious Silla, the earth does not lie. The seven Gaya tumulus clusters spread across Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces stand as monumental evidence of a powerful political entity that lasted centuries.

The Heart of the Confederation: A Time Travel Through Tombs

• Daeseong-dong Tumuli in Gimhae (Geumgwan Gaya): The starting point of the Gaya confederation and a center of maritime trade. Numerous iron armors and 2,473 bead necklaces found here vividly demonstrate Geumgwan Gaya’s wealth, international exchange, and top-tier craftsmanship.
• Malisan Tumuli in Haman (Ara Gaya): The tombs of Ara Gaya, which led diplomacy, yielded Roman Glass proving exchanges with the West. The 134 constellations engraved on the capstones reveal an astonishing level of astronomical knowledge comparable to Goguryeo.
• Jisandong Tumuli in Goryeong (Daegaya): The grandeur of the late Gaya confederation is evident in the massive tombs and the ‘retainer burial’ culture. The burial of over 40 retainers with the king is a political statement showing strong royal authority and a highly stratified social structure, proving Gaya was far from a loose tribal alliance.

The Kingdom’s Signature: What the Artifacts Tell Us

• Warrior’s Armor: Over 60% of the armor from the Korean Three Kingdoms Era is from Gaya. This indicates unmatched industrial production capacity in ironworking. Gaya’s iron-armored cavalry was likely one of the strongest military forces in East Asia at the time.

• Clay Figurative Culture: The figurative pottery (象形土器) shaped like houses, boats, and warriors showcases Gaya’s originality and artistry. This advanced technique was transmitted to Japan, becoming the origin of ‘Sueki (須惠器)’ pottery, making Gaya a cultural exporter.

• Another King’s Crown: Gaya tombs have yielded gilt-bronze crowns with a unique flaming design different from Silla’s. This decisive artifact proves Gaya was an independent state with its own royal symbols, not a mere imitator of Silla culture.

What Kind of Country Was Gaya?: The Power of Iron, Diplomacy, and Culture

Economy: East Asia’s ‘Iron Kingdom’

All of Gaya’s power came from ‘iron (鐵).’ It monopolized the abundant iron resources of the Nakdong River basin and exported them to China and Wa (Japan). Especially, the standardized iron ingots called ‘deong-i-soe (鐵鋌)’ were used like currency, indicating Gaya had a highly developed international trade system.

Diplomacy: Sovereignty Proven by the Title ‘King of the Home Country’

In 479 AD, Daegaya’s King Haji (荷知王) independently sent envoys to the Southern Qi dynasty in China. The Chinese emperor granted him the title ‘General Who Assists the State, King of the Home Country (輔國將軍本國王).’ The title ‘King of the Home Country’ means he was recognized as the king of his own nation. This is irrefutable proof that China, the world’s center at the time, officially acknowledged Gaya as an independent sovereign state.

Culture: Gayageum and Unique Crowns

A nation’s stature is completed by its culture. Daegaya’s King Gasil created the ‘Gayageum (伽倻琴),’ a zither-like instrument based on Chinese instruments but infused with Korean sentiment. This was both a sophisticated act of governance and a cultural pride statement. Also, the founding myth of King Suro, born from six golden eggs from the heavens, clearly shows Gaya had established itself as a proper nation.

Three Kingdoms Era vs. Four Kingdoms Era: What the Numbers Reveal

Why does the term ‘Three Kingdoms Era’ distort historical facts? Let’s prove it with numbers.

• Five Kingdoms Era (452 years): From Gaya’s founding (42 AD) to the fall of Buyeo (494 AD), five kingdoms coexisted.
• Four Kingdoms Era (63 years): From Buyeo’s fall to Gaya’s fall (562 AD), four kingdoms coexisted.
• True Three Kingdoms Era (98 years): From Gaya’s fall to Baekje’s fall (660 AD), three kingdoms coexisted.

The conclusion is clear. For over 500 years, four or more countries coexisted on the Korean Peninsula. Calling the entire period the ‘Three Kingdoms Era’ based on the last 98 years is a serious distortion from the victor’s perspective.

Comparison: Systems of the Four Kingdoms

How was Gaya different from the other three kingdoms? Gaya’s confederation system was not immature but a ‘different’ system optimized for an economic model based on iron and trade. This fostered cultural diversity and economic dynamism but showed limits against Silla’s centralized military power. It’s not about superiority but competition between systems.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Restore the Lost Voice of Gaya

Though Gaya disappeared into history, it never vanished. Its people, technology, and culture were absorbed by Silla, laying the foundation for the unification of the Three Kingdoms.

• Key Summary

  1. Gaya was an independent kingdom lasting 600 years: Proven by the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Gaya Tumuli’ and numerous artifacts.
  2. A powerhouse of iron and international trade: Active on the East Asian stage with independent economic and diplomatic strength.
  3. ‘Three Kingdoms Era’ is the victor’s record: Most of history was a ‘Four Kingdoms Era’ or ‘Multi-Kingdom Era’ with four or more countries coexisting.

The evidence is overwhelming. It’s time to revise the outdated historical map ourselves and restore Gaya’s rightful voice in our history—not as part of three kingdoms, but as the fourth kingdom. Why not visit a nearby museum or the Gaya Tumuli to feel their breath firsthand? That will be the first step to fully facing this great era.