국립김해박물관

Special Exhibition, Gaya Horse Trappings

Horses are one of the livestock that has been with humans for a long period of time. With their excellent mobility and power, horses were used as a means of transportation and communication, and they were of great help when humans expanded their circle of activity. In that sense, horses played a major role in the growth of human society.

Likewise, when the ancient kingdoms in Korea were laying the foundation, horses were regarded as valuable as a measure of the state power. There are crucial evidences we can estimate the role and importance of the horse in Gaya: there is a record that describes the people of Gaya in particular as great horse riders; and there are a large number of horse-related artifacts found in various ruins of Gaya. Among them, horse trappings are definitely outstanding. Gaya, a country which had high-quality technology of horse equipment production, even added the social role of the horse besides the original function of transporting goods and people. The horse in Gaya was embellished with splendid decoration items to reveal the master’s identity; worn armors to go to war; or sacrificed for rituals. As such, the horse of Gaya was a symbol of dignity, authority, ritual, and sacrifice.

The Gaya horse trappings reflect the culture and wisdom that the people of Gaya developed with horses. As this exhibition presents the horse equipment of Gaya, it will give you an opportunity to step closer to the culture and people of Gaya.