Brief SynthesisThe natural surroundings of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, shaped by the principles of pungsu, create a delicate setting for the living tradition of ancestral worship and its associated rites. The royal tombs, with their hierarchical ordering of areas from the profane to the sacred, and their distinctive structures and objects, are an ensemble that resonates with the historic past of the Joseon Dynasty. Criterion (vi): The Royal Tombs of Joseon are directly associated with a living tradition of ancestral worship through the performance of prescribed rites. Integrity and AuthenticityAs a serial nomination, the sites convey a complete understanding of the setting, layout and composition of the Joseon royal tombs. Regarding form and design, only a few entrances have been changed; overall, the Royal Tombs of Joseon have marked authenticity.