Silla Buddhist Stone Sculpture: The "Eternal" Granite of Mt. Nam in Kyŏngju

Abstract

Mt. Nam (Namsan) in Kyŏngju, South Korea, is a UNESCO World Heritage site where hundreds of Silla temples, sculptures, and pagodas survive today. Though challenging to work with, Mt. Nam granite presented many advantages, such as durability, wide availability, low economic investment, preestablished means of transport, and a distinct white hue. The mountain was also considered hallowed ground, which further imbued the granite sculptures with a heightened sense of sanctity and religious significance. For these reasons, the people of Silla collected raw materials from Mt. Nam to create important stone sculptures and structures throughout the capital of the Silla kingdom. This article explores the significance of Mt. Nam as the designated site for the multitude of sculptures and pagodas created there, taking into consideration the fact that Mt. Nam was only one of five mountains surrounding the royal capital of Silla. Still further, this article aims to resolve the question of why the people of Silla chose to quarry the granite of Mt. Nam specifically to create numerous Buddhist statues and pagodas that were placed throughout not only the capital but even at the sites of royal tombs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.