Tombstones without a Tomb

the long version

Sindeok, the First Queen of the Joseon Dynasty. Heavy, intricately carved tombstones are embedded in the banks of the Cheonggyecheon Stream that cuts through downtown Seoul, in the shadows of the Gwangtonggyo Bridge, echoing the story of their owner, Queen Sindeok, the first of the Joseon Dynasty. Why are these stones here under the bridge, out in public view, rather than surrounding their assigned tomb, the Royal Tomb of Queen Sindeok? To examine and understand this enigmatic situation, Tombstones without a Tomb first seeks to understand why the status of Queen Sindeok, who played a crucial role in the foundation of the new dynasty was degraded after her death, and then traces the process of how the Queen's honor has since been restored.