국립김해박물관

Gazing upon Gimhae’s Wide Plains; a Story of Gaya’s Growth and the Sea

Gimhae, once home to Gaya’s royal capital, is known for its wide, open plains. In the past, however, the area now covered with rice paddies, vinyl greenhouses, reeds, and an airfield belonged to the sea. The Gaya communities of this region navigated their ships into the open waters, which provided transportation routes to various locations, as well as a wide range of foodstuffs. Gimhae sits at the convergence of the sea and the Nakdonggang River, which flows through and links the various area of the Gyeongsang region. This fortuitous location allowed Gimhae to develop as a center for the distribution of goods. Trade became the most important economic activity for Gaya communities, who had access to both the inland riverine trade routes of the Nakdonggang River and the maritime trade routes. Due to its active maritime trade, Gaya became an indispensable trading partner for the groups of the Japanese Archipelago across the sea. The wealth acquired though maritime trade acted as a key motor for the growth of Gaya society. Gaya’s dependence on the sea is strongly reflected in the diversity, openness, uniqueness, and pioneering spirit of its culture. Different cultural traditions co-existed and converged, as can be seen in Gaya’s sites and artifacts. Ironically, the sea, which had facilitated Gaya’s development, was also one of the reasons why the polities of Gaya were not able to unite and form an ancient state. This exhibition aims to illuminate how Gaya communities interacted with the sea, and in doing so, provide insights into understanding the unique nature of Gaya culture.