This study reexamines the transformation and spatial organization of the Silla royal capital in the Gyeongju Basin by reconstructing the expansion of the bang-ri (ward–block) system and the internal
structure of the urban space. Previous discussions...
This study reexamines the transformation and spatial organization of the Silla royal capital in the Gyeongju Basin by reconstructing the expansion of the bang-ri (ward–block) system and the internal
structure of the urban space. Previous discussions have often equated the capital’s extent with the distribution of roads, yet road-centered reconstructions are limited by uneven excavation coverage and by the discontinuous preservation of street features. To address these issues, this research synthesizes archaeological evidence not only from roads but also from associated built features such as building foundations and boundary walls, and secures chronological resolution through diagnostic artifacts including roof tiles and stamped pottery. The analytical scope covers remains dated from the mid-sixth century to the mid-tenth century, and the study area is divided into four sectors —east and west of Wolsong, south of Namcheon, and north of Bukcheon—to compare patterns of urban development across the basin.
The results suggest three major phases. Phase I (mid–late sixth century) marks the formation of the basic urban framework, closely conditioned by local palaeotopography. Phase II (seventh–late eighth
century) represents the principal expansion and metropolitan development, during which planned urban order extended stepwise beyond natural constraints; the bang-ri system became established basin-wide, temple construction intensified, and functional differentiation—including craft and production activities—became more apparent, consolidating the capital as the administrative, ritual, and religious center of the unified state. Phase III (ninth–mid tenth century) is characterized by stagnation and decline: large-scale outward expansion ceased, existing networks and blocks were largely maintained through repair and reuse, and new construction indicators became scarce as political fragmentation deepened.
By integrating multiple categories of urban remains within a consistent chronological framework, this study highlights the capital as a dynamically reconfigured city rather than a uniformly planned
grid built at a single moment. At the same time, limitations remain due to uneven excavation density and insufficient evidence from the outer fringe and adjacent nodes, which should be addressed in future
research.