Gyerim-ro dagger and sheath
The Gyerim-ro Dagger and Sheath are ornately decorated treasures that were excavated from an ancient Korean tomb from the Silla Kingdom in 1973. They are understood to originate from the Black Sea area, testifying to the expansiveness of the Silk Road network in the ancient world.
Description
The dagger and sheath are made up of gold, decorated with elaborate, colorful glass and garnet jewel inlays. The treasure is 14 1/8 in. in length and belongs to the Gyeongju National Museum of Korea. It is listed as Korea's Treasure No. 635.History
The Gyerim-ro Dagger and Sheath were excavated from the Gyerim-ro Tomb No. 14 in 1973 in North Gyeongsang Province. The dagger is understood to have originated from Persia area of Central Asia sometime during the 5th century, coming to Korea through trade or as a diplomatic gift. This was determined by comparing the dagger and sheath to other items of similar constructor depiction. The dagger has a decorative and functional head at the end of the handle and the sheath has two side appendages. These were used to attach the dagger to the carrier's belt, from which it hung horizontally.A deeper understanding of this double-appendage suspension system supports the theory that the Hephthalite invasion of Central Asia brought with it an introduction of the two-point hanging system to, which has since become recognizable as the Eastern Eurasian dagger and sword suspension systems that was carried on from Central Asia to China. The two-point suspension system's arrival in China is likely a result of the Silk Road. Vast scholarship on the Silk Road informs that trade between Central Asia and East Asia was affluent and thriving during the 5th century, and thus the occurrence of a Persian area item in a Korean tomb should not come as a surprise.