Journal of Korean Art & Archaeology 2021, Vol.15 pp.5-9
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Gaya, a confederation in Korea's Gyeongsang region, was overshadowed by historical accounts of its rival Silla and remained unacknowledged for centuries. The Samguk Sagi, a key historical text, rarely mentions Gaya. However, archaeological discoveries in the 1970s reevaluated Gaya's significance, highlighting its iron production and pottery culture. Gaya's economy thrived on fishing, agriculture, and trade, especially with Japan. Its downfall was attributed to not prioritizing political centralization and being overshadowed by Silla.