Northeast Asian History Network

Eastern Wall of the Eastern Auxiliary Chamber - Meat Storehouse

This is a detailed view of the meat storehouse depicted on the eastern wall of the eastern auxiliary chamber. This type of storehouse, designed specifically for storing livestock or game, was an ancillary building found only in the estates of nobility. A roe deer and a wild boar, presumably from a recent hunt, can be clearly seen hanging from hooks in the storehouse. This image provides viewers with a glimpse of the affluent lifestyle of the entombed. The structure itself is open on all sides for ventilation and features a tiled roof. Notably, a staircase can be seen for access to the meat storehouse. Such structures for storing grain and meat required low-humidity conditions for optimal storage, and thus this meat storehouse was constructed to be above ground level. This image captured the ingenuity of the ancient people of Koguryo who considered the moisture rising up from the ground when constructing a storehouse. A bird can be seen perched atop the center of the roof.