Ritual Sacrifices made during the declining years of Silla?

[sageuk]

According to a book called Millenial Culture of Silla, the Silla people observed rituals such as mountains, well, farming and fishing rites. Well rites were the exception to this rule because wells were associated with the power of the monarch (due to the Hyeokgeose legend of him being found in a well), leading to conjecture that a king's coronation took place in a well.

It later brought up a well located in a corner of a lot near the site of the Gyeongju National Museum. It contained bones, consisting of animals including that of a ten year old human child.

Archaeologists say the wells were used between the eighth and ninth centuries. Queen Jinseong's reign was 887–897. And it has been pointed out that chronic droughts occurred in eighth- and ninth-century Silla, so these sacrifices may have been an attempt to stop it.

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2012/03/25/artsDesign/Down-two-wells-history-revealed/2950442.html

mudbonefield.blogspot.com/2011/08/animals-in-well-of-unified-silla.html

If the remains in the wells really are ritual sacrifices, I can't help but wonder how the Buddhist monks reacted to this, assuming they knew about it.

[ajk]

Interesting links and photos, thanks for sharing them.

I don't know...nothing but respect for the expertise of archeologists...but maybe people just threw the stuff down the wells just to get rid of it. Even a body; you accidently or deliberately kill somebody, ditch the evidence.

But on the other hand, we had some talk when Kingdom was getting started about cannibalism, didn't we. So maybe a sacrifice wouldn't be so far-fetched.

[sageuk]

I forgot to mention it, but said well was located at what was once the Silla royal palace. The royal family must drink water right? I doubt someone would risk earning their ire if they just dumped dead animals into it and poison the well. And even if someone did, they would have removed the carcasses in order to unpoison the well for their safety.

Also have a look at this link. It's in Korean, but the pictures will be enough to tell you what animals were thrown in the well.

blog.daum.net/bosar/13431448

[ajk]

I guess it would depend on the timing of it but yes you're right it certainly adds to the story. Weird.

Thanks for sharing the link.