Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Tomb of King Heungdeok, the 42nd monarch (r. 826-836) of the Silla Kingdom, nestled in the outskirts of Angang Township in Gyeongju. The tomb contains some masterpieces, including 12 zodiac figures carved on stone panels that encircle the mound. The surrounding areas of the tomb have also yielded a wealth of cultural artifacts, such as a stone tablet that was placed on a tortoise and provides valuable insights into the ancient history and culture of Silla.