Difference between revisions of "Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | Designated as a [[World Heritage]] Site by UNESCO in 2000, '''Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites''' are distinctive and exemplary. The sites contain hundreds of stone dolmen used as grave markers and for ritual | + | Designated as a [[World Heritage]] Site by UNESCO in 2000, '''Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites''' are distinctive and exemplary. The sites contain hundreds of stone dolmen used as grave markers and for ritual ceremonies during the first millennium B.C.E. when the Megalithic Culture prevailed on the [[Korean Peninsula]]. [[Korea]] contains more than 40% of the world's dolmen, mostly concentrated in the Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa sites. |
| − | The megalithic stones mark the graves of the ruling elite, making them invaluable sign-posts for archeologists. The connection with geomancy is evident. Shaman priests buried prominent persons in locations to protect the villages, considering the fengshi of the location that would best ward off evil spirits or disaster. The connection with Shamnism is readily apparent. | + | The megalithic stones mark the graves of the ruling elite, making them invaluable sign-posts for archeologists. The connection with geomancy is evident. Shaman priests buried prominent persons in locations to protect the villages, considering the fengshi of the location that would best ward off evil spirits or disaster. The connection with Shamnism is readily apparent, too. The connection between the living and the departed spirits dominated pre-historic tribal culture. |
Pottery, comma-shaped jewels, bronzes, and other funerary artifacts have been excavated from these dolmen. The culture of the people during this time can be gleaned from the evidence left by the dolmen. Additionally, the stones show how stone was quarried, transported, and used to build dolmen. | Pottery, comma-shaped jewels, bronzes, and other funerary artifacts have been excavated from these dolmen. The culture of the people during this time can be gleaned from the evidence left by the dolmen. Additionally, the stones show how stone was quarried, transported, and used to build dolmen. | ||
| − | Dolmen in Korea date to the seventh century B.C.E. in locations such as Gochang. The practice of constructing dolmen ended around the third century B.C.E. The dolmen culture links with the Neolithic and Bronze periods in Korea. | + | Dolmen in Korea date to the seventh century B.C.E. in locations such as Gochang. The practice of constructing dolmen ended around the third century B.C.E. The dolmen culture links with the Neolithic and Bronze periods in Korea. Excavation at the sites began in 1965. Since then, the Korean government has sponsored multiple digs an extensive program of inventory and preservation has been initiated. |
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| − | Excavation at the sites began in 1965. Since then, the Korean government has sponsored multiple digs an extensive program of inventory and preservation has been initiated. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Dolmen are generally classified in two types in East Asia. The table/northern-type and the go-board/southern-type. In the former, four stones | + | Dolmen are generally classified in two types in East Asia. The table/northern-type and the go-board/southern-type. In the former, builders positioned the four stones to make box-like walls and capped by a stone which lay on top of the supports. The latter is characterized by underground burial with stones that supported the capstone. |
===Gochang Dolmen Site (Jungnim-ri dolmens)=== | ===Gochang Dolmen Site (Jungnim-ri dolmens)=== | ||
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===Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)=== | ===Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)=== | ||
| − | '''Goindol dolmen: Historical Treasure No. 137'''. Historical Treasure #137 sits amidst a field of ginseng nearby Ganghwa town, on [[Ganghwa Island]]. The largest dolmen in Korea, Goindol measures 2.6 x 7.1 x 5.5 meters. Pre-historic Koreans apparently conducted | + | '''Goindol dolmen: Historical Treasure No. 137'''. Historical Treasure #137 sits amidst a field of ginseng nearby Ganghwa town, on [[Ganghwa Island]]. The largest dolmen in Korea, Goindol measures 2.6 x 7.1 x 5.5 meters. Pre-historic Shaman Koreans apparently conducted ceremonial rites on the northern, table-type dolmen in Ganghwa. The dolmen on Ganghwa stand on the slopes of mountains at higher elevations than Gochang and Hwasun sites. |
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| − | Archeological digs | + | Archeological digs at Gyeongju indicate that people lived on the Korean peninsula as early as the paleolitic period. The mythical origins of Korea trace back to the myth of Dangun, the founder of Korea. Goindol dolmen, as well as others, date to between the time of Dangun (2133 B.C.E.) to the time of Christ. The Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri groups apparently constitute the earlies dolmen, although that has not been confirmed. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 14:07, 25 June 2007
| Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 An example of a go-board/southern-type dolmen on Ganghwa. | ||||||||
| Korean name | ||||||||
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| Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| State Party | .svg){kind=small} Republic of Korea
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii |
| Reference | 977 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
Introduction
Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites are distinctive and exemplary. The sites contain hundreds of stone dolmen used as grave markers and for ritual ceremonies during the first millennium B.C.E. when the Megalithic Culture prevailed on the Korean Peninsula. Korea contains more than 40% of the world's dolmen, mostly concentrated in the Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa sites.
The megalithic stones mark the graves of the ruling elite, making them invaluable sign-posts for archeologists. The connection with geomancy is evident. Shaman priests buried prominent persons in locations to protect the villages, considering the fengshi of the location that would best ward off evil spirits or disaster. The connection with Shamnism is readily apparent, too. The connection between the living and the departed spirits dominated pre-historic tribal culture.
Pottery, comma-shaped jewels, bronzes, and other funerary artifacts have been excavated from these dolmen. The culture of the people during this time can be gleaned from the evidence left by the dolmen. Additionally, the stones show how stone was quarried, transported, and used to build dolmen.
Dolmen in Korea date to the seventh century B.C.E. in locations such as Gochang. The practice of constructing dolmen ended around the third century B.C.E. The dolmen culture links with the Neolithic and Bronze periods in Korea. Excavation at the sites began in 1965. Since then, the Korean government has sponsored multiple digs an extensive program of inventory and preservation has been initiated.
Description
Dolmen are generally classified in two types in East Asia. The table/northern-type and the go-board/southern-type. In the former, builders positioned the four stones to make box-like walls and capped by a stone which lay on top of the supports. The latter is characterized by underground burial with stones that supported the capstone.
Gochang Dolmen Site (Jungnim-ri dolmens)
Known as the Jungnim-ri dolmens, the Gochang group of dolmen are the largest and most varied of the three sites. Built from east to west at the foot of a series of hills at an altitude of fifteen to fifty meters, the dolmen have been discovered in and around Maesan village. The capstones of the dolmens average around 1 to 5.8 meters in length and weigh from 10 to 300 tons. 442 dolmen have been documented and classified based on the size of the capstone. The Gochang dolmen have been dated to around the seventh century CE.
Hwasun Dolmen Site (Hyosan-ri and Dasin-ri dolmens)
Also located on the slopes of hills and follow the Jiseokgang river, the Hyosan-ri cluster contains 158 dolmen and the Dasin-ri cluster, 129. The Jungnim-ri cluster in Gochang are better preserved than the Hyosan-ri and Dasin-ri dolmen. The quarry where some of the stones of this group were carved out has been located. This group is dated to around the sixth or fifth century CE.
Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)
Goindol dolmen: Historical Treasure No. 137. Historical Treasure #137 sits amidst a field of ginseng nearby Ganghwa town, on Ganghwa Island. The largest dolmen in Korea, Goindol measures 2.6 x 7.1 x 5.5 meters. Pre-historic Shaman Koreans apparently conducted ceremonial rites on the northern, table-type dolmen in Ganghwa. The dolmen on Ganghwa stand on the slopes of mountains at higher elevations than Gochang and Hwasun sites.
Archeological digs at Gyeongju indicate that people lived on the Korean peninsula as early as the paleolitic period. The mythical origins of Korea trace back to the myth of Dangun, the founder of Korea. Goindol dolmen, as well as others, date to between the time of Dangun (2133 B.C.E.) to the time of Christ. The Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri groups apparently constitute the earlies dolmen, although that has not been confirmed.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Clark, Charles Allen. Religions of Old Korea. Seoul: Christian Literature Society of Korea, 1961. OCLC: 2624029
- Haeoe Hongbowŏn (Korea). Guide to Korean cultural heritage. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym 2003. ISBN 9781565912137
- Kim, Chŏng-hak, Richard J. Pearson, and Kazue Pearson. The Prehistory of Korea. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1978. ISBN: 9780824805524
- Kim, Won-yong. Dolmens in Korea. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 16 (June 1962):1-11.
- Lee, Gil-sang. Exploring Korean history through world heritage. Seongnam-si: Academy of Korean Studies 2006. ISBN 9788971055519
- Suh, Jai-sik. World heritage in Korea. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym. 2001. ISBN 9781565911710
External links
- Cultural Heritage Retrieved June 23, 2007.
- Korean National Heritage Online Retrieved June 23, 2007.
- UNESCO Retrieved June 23, 2007.
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