• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.260-279
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• 2021

The Goguryeo kingdom established a unique defense system centered on a series of mountain fortresses. However, modern-day studies on its defense system have tended to focus on how they were positioned and generally consist of little more than individual surveys or introductions to the relevant materials, leaving much to be desired. This study attempts to extend the scope of studies about fortresses dating back to the Goguryeo period, taking into account the limitations of the available materials. As such, this study reviews the defense system of Goguryeo during the Gungnaeseong Period (i.e., the period when Gungnaeseong was the capital of Goguryeo) using the GIS system, with the focus on fortresses that are thought to have been built in the area extending from the middle and upper reaches of the Amnok River to the mid-stream region of the Liohe River, based on the aforementioned studies. The results of the study are as follows. First, the major roads built during the Gungnaeseong Period were as stated in the foregoing studies to some extent. Researchers believed that during the middle period of the dynasty, a major road ran along the Suzihe, Fuer and Xinkai rivers before finally reaching Jian. The study found that fortified walls and fortress strongholds were built along this road. Second, there were seven fortresses between the middle and upper reaches of the Amnokgang River and the midstream region of the Liaohe River. A primary defense line was closely established between the strongholds and the nearby walls, with secondary and tertiary defense lines established more loosely and encompassing a much wider area. Third, regarding the defense system along the major roads, the Choejinbosanseong, Goisanseong and Cheolbaesanseong fortresses served as strongholds along the 60-kilometer-long primary defense line, with 80-kilometer-long secondary and tertiary defense lines set up behind it. The final 120-kilometer-long defense line of the capital was established along with the Onyeosanseong Fortress, while a stumbling block was set up close to the capital as a defense system, rather than building a fortified wall. To summarize, a primary defense system was established centered on a series of fortresses, with each stronghold maintaining a closely-knit defense system in connection with other nearby strongholds to repel invaders.

• TTA REPORT
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• v.4 no.4 s.14
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• pp.25-27
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• 1992

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.90-119
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the significance of Buddhist stone art in the cultural zone of Mt. Bukhan. Mt. Bukhan witnessed the prevalence of Buddhist culture in and around it since the introduction of Korean Buddhism and served as the center of Buddhist culture in the nation, where new Buddhist temples continued to be built from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Period. Of the characteristics of its Buddhist culture, it is very noteworthy that the construction of military temples in and around it in the latter half of Joseon supported the function of Buddhist temples as basic places of worship. These military temples were closely related to the mountain's geopolitical location, traffic routes, and position in the national defense system-- its mountain fortress was an important defense facility. The stone art works of Mt. Bukhan can be categorized into various types, including stone stupas, stone pagodas, rock-carved Buddhas, stone Buddhas, towers and monuments (stone monuments), stone lanterns, flagpole supports, and rock-carved sarira pagodas. There are diverse types of stone art left on the mountain. As for its period characteristics, it is clear that the Buddhist art of Silla spread even to the Gyeonggi region, and that most of the works of stone art were created during the first half of Goryeo and the latter half of Joseon. Starting in Goryeo, the Buddhist temples of the mountain maintained close relations with the royal court by operating as the royal buddhist shrine for the royal family. In the latter part of Joseon, the construction of the Bukhan mountain fortress became the most important opportunity to produce stone art. As for the distribution of the stone artwork, it was usually created in the west part of the mountain from Unified Silla to the first half of Goryeo and in the southern and eastern parts of the mountain from the latter half of Goryeo to the latter half of Joseon. It is estimated that central Buddhist temples of the mountain changed due to Silla's military goal of advancing toward the west coast along the Han River in its early days and the construction of the Bukhan mountain fortress in the latter half of Joseon to protect the capital city. Finally, the stone art of Mt. Bukhan holds very high significance in art history because various types of stone art continued to be created on and around the mountain, the stone artwork of the mountain reflected representative styles for each period, and e rare and ofthe works produced on the mountain exemplified rare and unique styles.