The Introduction and Background of Silla Old Style Roof-end Tiles

The purpose of this study is to define Silla roof-end tiles of the Introductory Period (新羅導入期 瓦當) and to understand the background surrounding their emergence. Until now, research on these roof-end tiles has primarily tended to suggest that they were produced under the influences of Goguryeoand Baekje lineages before being “Silla-ized.” However, for roof tiles of the Goguryeo lineage, aside from pattern-related connections, clear evidence proving their Goguryeo lineage has not been presented, and it was difficult to clearly set the time of production. Furthermore, beyond lineage and chronology, there has been insufficient discussion regarding the historical background: specifically, the purpose for which they were introduced within Silla and the historical context surrounding their initial use. Through classification and chronological analysis, Silla’s Introductory Period roof-end tiles can be divided into two types: Stage 1 Najeong (蘿井) and Stage 2 Mulcheon-Hwagok. The Najeong type, found only at the Najeong Well site and Wolseong Palace moat, co-occurred with late 5th–early 6th century pottery, corresponding to the urban reorganization policies of Soji Maripgan (炤知王), including the establishment of a national ancestral rites building (神宮) and the repair of Wolseong Palace. The Mulcheon-Hwagok type was used over a wider area than the Najeong type. This signifies that the range of social status able to enjoy tile-roofed buildings expanded compared to earlier times. The expansion of space increased the demand for tiles, and to meet this demand, the existing pottery production infrastructure of the Silla capital was utilized. It is important to consider whether the early tiles began with a single lineage of Goguryeoand Baekje to understand the formation and development of Silla’s tile culture. Scholars have debated whether the Najeong type tiles can be considered as “introductory tiles” since they were produced using watong (瓦桶). However, the discovery of tiles using watong discarded alongside early 6th century pottery, as well as an analysis of contemporary tile-making techniques in neighboring countries, indicate that diverse tile production methods were already in use when Silla adopted tiles. Observations of post-7th century examples further suggest that tile-making techniques were not linear and evolved with complexity. Early Silla roof-end tiles likely emerged from a composite tile-making tradition rather than a single lineage.

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