The Gaya National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage was founded on June 16, 1990, to systematically survey and study the cultural properties scattered around Busan and Ulsan metropolitan areas and South Gyeongsang Province. Particularly, the institute focuses on research in the cultural heritage of Gaya kingdoms which ruled the region from the first century B.C. to the sixth century A.D. It aims to play a pivotal role in the study of Gaya culture by leading excavations of historical sites as well as collecting research resources, publishing reports and academic journals and exchanging human resources. With the construction of a storage building in 2004, the institute has secured more space for preservation and management of excavated artifacts and strengthened its conservation capabilities.

Excavation of Mountain Fortress

The institute carries out annual excavation programs on Seongsan Mountain Fortress in Haman, the old capital of Ara Gaya, one of the six Gaya kingdoms, where the largest amount of wood strips in Korea have been discovered. Since 2004 a full-scale excavation has been conducted on the area inside the fortress to trace its characteristics and attain basic academic information necessary for its efficient preservation and maintenance.

Excavation of Temple Sites

The institute continues to excavate ancient Buddhist temple sites across South Gyeongsang Province to acquire academic information necessary for their possible restoration and preservation. Among major temples under excavations are Bongnimsa, Dansoksa, Jigoksa and Unheungsa.

Excavation of Tumpli Groups

The institute is excavating ancient tomb groups at Gaeumjeong-dong, Changwon; Dohang-ri, Haman; Joil-ri, Ulsan; Naesan-ri, Goseong; and Songhyeon-dong, Changnyeong; as well as a tomb group with r ock carvings and a horse armor tomb at Haman, and a dolmen group at Sangnam, Changwon. Through surveys of these tomb groups, the institute brings to light the Gaya culture and society, its lifestyle and burial customs.

Surface Inspections on Gaya Cultural Zones

The institute is conducting surface inspections on the old territories ruled by Gaya kingdoms to prepare for factfinding surveys on cultural properties scattered around the Busan and Ulsan metropolitan areas and South Gyeongsang Province and draw up measures for their efficient preservation and management. Since 1993 the surface inspections have been conducted mainly on four cultural zones that were governed by Geumgwan (Gold Crown) Gaya, So (Little) Gaya, Dae (Big) Gaya, and Ara Gaya.