Mausoleum of Dangun

Infobox Korean name|context= north


hangul = 단군릉
hanja = 檀君陵
rr = Dangunreung
mr = Tan'gunrŭng

Mausoleum of Dangun is ancient burial site in Kangdong near Pyongyang, North Korea. It is claimed by North Korea to be the tomb of Dangun, legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom.

The Mausoleum was extensively restored in 1994. The complex occupies about 1.8 km² (.70 mi²) on the slope of Taebak Mountain (대박산). 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 (72 ft) high and 50 m (164 ft) on each side.

Traditionally, Gojoseon was thought to have been founded in 2333 BCE. Current excavations, however, have dramatically changed the estimates of North Korean historians back to at least 3000 BCE, making the site c.5011 years old (±267 years in 1993).

Controversy

A nail found in the mausoleum, dating to the Goguryeo period (37 BCE-668 BCE), has been the subject of much controversy. This discovery has thus lead some North Korean historians to conclude that the mausoleum was discovered and renovated during that period.

Many observers and historians outside of North Korea, including South Korea, consider the data and the interpretation compromised by politics and nationalism. North Korea has permitted no independent testing to resolve the questions over authenticity and dating.

ee also

* List of tombs and mausoleums
* List of archeological sites in Korea
* List of Korea-related topics
* History of Korea

External links

* [http://nk.chosun.com/photo/photo.html?ACT=thumb&cat_id=199 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/