Difference between revisions of "Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites" - New World Encyclopedia
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− | image=[[Image:Dolmen_Ganghwa_Island.JPG|300px]]<br>''An example of a go-board/southern-type dolmen on [[Ganghwa]].'' | | + | image=[[Image:Dolmen_Ganghwa_Island.JPG|300px]]<br/>''An example of a go-board/southern-type dolmen on [[Ganghwa]].'' | |
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{{Infobox World Heritage Site | {{Infobox World Heritage Site | ||
− | | WHS | + | | WHS = Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites |
− | | Image | + | | Image = |
| State Party = [[Image:Flag of South Korea (bordered).svg|22px]] [[Republic of Korea]] | | State Party = [[Image:Flag of South Korea (bordered).svg|22px]] [[Republic of Korea]] | ||
− | | Type | + | | Type = Cultural |
− | | Criteria | + | | Criteria = iii |
− | | ID | + | | ID = 977 |
− | | Region | + | | Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia|Asia-Pacific]] |
− | | Year | + | | Year = 2000 |
− | | Session | + | | Session = 24th |
− | | Link | + | | Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/977 |
}} | }} | ||
+ | The dolmen at [[Gochang]], [[Hwasun]] and [[Ganghwa Island|Ganghwa]] provide the first archeological evidence of the religious practices of the [[Korea]]n people. The [[dolmen]], created by the inconceivable work of moving gigantic stones into position without machines, served as burial markers for tribal leaders and spiritual leaders. [[Shaman]] priests conducted ceremonies invoking the spirit of the person buried there to protect the tribe. | ||
− | + | [[Shamanism]] played a key role in the creation of Korean [[culture]]. The reality of spirits, the presence of an ultimate God (the Sky God), even the name for God in Korean (Hananim) have their roots in Shamanism. The [[dolmen sites]] are evidence of Shamanism foundational impact on Korea. | |
− | |||
− | [[Shamanism]] played a key role in the creation of [[ | ||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
− | Designated as a [[World Heritage]] Site by UNESCO in 2000, '''Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites''' are distinctive and exemplary. | + | 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 percent 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 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 [[Shamanism]] 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. | + | 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 | + | 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== | ==Description== | ||
− | Dolmen are generally classified in two types in East Asia. | + | 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)=== | ||
− | Known as the Jungnim-ri dolmens, the Gochang group of dolmen are the largest and most varied of the three sites. | + | 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 one to 5.8 meters in length and weigh from ten 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 C.E. |
===Hwasun Dolmen Site (Hyosan-ri and Dasin-ri dolmens)=== | ===Hwasun Dolmen Site (Hyosan-ri and Dasin-ri dolmens)=== | ||
− | Also located on the slopes of hills and | + | Also located on the slopes of hills and following 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 C.E. |
===Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)=== | ===Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)=== | ||
− | + | “Goindol dolmen: Historical Treasure No. 137” sits amidst a field of ginseng nearby Ganghwa town, on [[Ganghwa Island]]. The largest dolmen in Korea, Goindol measures 2.6 by 7.1 by 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. | + | 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 [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]. The Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri groups apparently constitute the earliest dolmen, although that has not been confirmed. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | * Clark, Charles Allen. ''Religions of Old Korea''. Seoul: Christian Literature Society of Korea, 1961. | + | * Clark, Charles Allen. ''Religions of Old Korea''. Seoul: Christian Literature Society of Korea, 1961. |
− | * Haeoe Hongbowŏn (Korea). ''Guide to Korean cultural heritage''. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym 2003. ISBN 9781565912137 | + | * 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. | + | * Kim, Chŏng-hak, Richard J. Pearson, and Kazue Pearson. ''The Prehistory of Korea''. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1978. ASIN: B000KJF6ZA |
− | * Kim, Won-yong. | + | * Kim, Won-yong. “Dolmens in Korea.” ''Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities'' Vol. 16, 1-11, 1962. |
− | * Lee, Gil-sang. ''Exploring Korean history through world heritage''. Seongnam-si: Academy of Korean Studies 2006. ISBN | + | * Lee, Gil-sang. ''Exploring Korean history through world heritage''. Seongnam-si: Academy of Korean Studies, 2006. ISBN 8971055510 |
− | * Suh, Jai-sik. ''World heritage in Korea''. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym | + | * Suh, Jai-sik. ''World heritage in Korea''. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym, 2001. ISBN 9781565911710 |
− | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
− | * [http://english.cha.go.kr/ Cultural Heritage] Retrieved | + | * [http://english.cha.go.kr/ Cultural Heritage] Retrieved September 11, 2007. |
− | * [http://www.heritage.go.kr/eng/her/her_08.jsp Korean National Heritage Online] Retrieved | + | * [http://www.heritage.go.kr/eng/her/her_08.jsp Korean National Heritage Online] Retrieved September 11, 2007. |
− | * [http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=977 UNESCO] Retrieved | + | * [http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=977 UNESCO] Retrieved September 11, 2007. |
− | + | * [http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/dolmen.html World Heritage Site] September 11, 2007. | |
− | |||
− | [[ | + | [[category:nations and places]] |
− | |||
− | |||
{{credits|108804927}} | {{credits|108804927}} |
Revision as of 20:36, 11 September 2007
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites | ||||||||
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An example of a go-board/southern-type dolmen on Ganghwa. | ||||||||
Korean name | ||||||||
|
Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites* | |
---|---|
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
State Party | 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. |
The dolmen at Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa provide the first archeological evidence of the religious practices of the Korean people. The dolmen, created by the inconceivable work of moving gigantic stones into position without machines, served as burial markers for tribal leaders and spiritual leaders. Shaman priests conducted ceremonies invoking the spirit of the person buried there to protect the tribe.
Shamanism played a key role in the creation of Korean culture. The reality of spirits, the presence of an ultimate God (the Sky God), even the name for God in Korean (Hananim) have their roots in Shamanism. The dolmen sites are evidence of Shamanism foundational impact on Korea.
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 percent 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 Shamanism 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 one to 5.8 meters in length and weigh from ten 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 C.E.
Hwasun Dolmen Site (Hyosan-ri and Dasin-ri dolmens)
Also located on the slopes of hills and following 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 C.E.
Ganghwa Dolmen Site (Bugun-ri and Cocheon-ri dolmen)
“Goindol dolmen: Historical Treasure No. 137” sits amidst a field of ginseng nearby Ganghwa town, on Ganghwa Island. The largest dolmen in Korea, Goindol measures 2.6 by 7.1 by 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 earliest 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.
- 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. ASIN: B000KJF6ZA
- Kim, Won-yong. “Dolmens in Korea.” Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 16, 1-11, 1962.
- Lee, Gil-sang. Exploring Korean history through world heritage. Seongnam-si: Academy of Korean Studies, 2006. ISBN 8971055510
- Suh, Jai-sik. World heritage in Korea. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym, 2001. ISBN 9781565911710
External links
- Cultural Heritage Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- Korean National Heritage Online Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- UNESCO Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- World Heritage Site September 11, 2007.
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