Mausoleum of Tangun

Template:Koreanname north Mausoleum of Dangun is ancient burial site near Pyongyang, North Korea, which is claimed by North Korea to be of Dangun, legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom.

The Dangun Mausoleum was extensively restored in 1994. The huge complex occupies about 450 acres (1.8 km²) on the slope of Mt. Daebaik. The complex is divided into three major sections: restoration work area, stone statue area and the burial site. Dangun's grave is shaped like a pyramid, about 22 m high and 50 m on each side.

Gojoseon is traditionally said to have been founded in 2333 BC, but this excavation changed North Korean historians' views drastically. North Korean reports claim it to be 5011 +/- 267 years old (in 1993), which indicates Gojoseon dates back to at least 30th century BC.

Controversy

File:Dangun t.jpgA nail found in the mausoleum, which dates to the Goguryeo period (37 BCE - 668), is a subject of great controversy. Some North Korean historians believe this indicates that the mausoleum was discovered and renovated during the Goguryeo period.

Many observers outside of North Korea, including most South Korean historians, consider the data and the interpretation to be compromised by politics and nationalism. North Korea has not permitted independent testing to resolve the authenticity and dating questions.

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• History of Korea

External links

• Pictures of Mausoleum of Dangun

Sites dealing with the controversy:

• http://web.edunet4u.net/~lost/
• http://www.kimsoft.com/2002/danggun.htm
• http://www.dangoon21.net/
• http://daangoon.pe.kr/
• http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EAL/