Old Silla

Refers to the period that coincided with the rule of the Kim family who set up the kingdom of Silla in Korea, from 57 BCE - 668 CE. Although political and artistic development was slower than of that its neighbors, famous tombs such at those of the Golden Crown and the Golden Bell contained precious objects such a gold crowns, jewels, metal vases and fine pottery. Architecture of the period is known from pagodas, lanterns, and steles and the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in the Far East.