Abstract

The stone masonry facilities in the capital of Silla had estimated various functions, such as ceremonial spaces, storage facilities, water collecting basins, stone ice storage, and toilets. However, previous assumptions have led to confusion about their actual functions. The stone masonry facilities of the Silla period are installed in the ground like the stone outer coffin tomb's shape.
 This paper suggests the function and use of the stone masonry facilities. The Silla capital has around 190 stone works. It is difficult to describe them simply as the water collecting facility or the stone ice storage. Especially, in ancient Silla houses, the masonry facilities were often positioned at the north or northwest side, similar to the toilet site location in ancient documents. Many documents covertly describe the toilet shed and the defecation. Most of the masonry facilities in the Silla capital were located behind the house walls or buildings. Therefore, it could be presumed that the masonry facilities were toilet sheds, based on their location on the north or northwest side and their proximity to the house wall.
 On the other hand, the stone masonry facilities in the Silla capital are often uncovered in various forms that added with the stone structures for the toilets or a drainage ditch. The Dongcheon-dong site's toilet shed is thought to be public, and the Silla capital has several types of toilet sheds. This aspect of the toilet sheds might not be controlled by the country because the toilet is an essential facility for life. It is possible that the Silla people shared similar methods and motifs when installing their toilet sheds using the masonry facilities, as evidenced by their similar attribute values (area, volume, etc.).

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