• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.265-280
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• 2022

Hwangnyongsa Temple was the large Buddhist monastery of Silla that has existed for about 685 years. The temple underwent a series of excavations from 1976 to 1983, during which it was discovered that its layout consisted of one pagoda and three main dharma halls. This discovery also led to the production of four artistic depictions of the temple at various times from its foundation to its final phase. Previous studies on the architectural layout of Hwangnyongsa Temple are largely focused on the inner sanctuary ("Buddha's Land"). The studies on the temple's main architectural structures may be natural for those who are interested in the origins of and background to its establishment, but the studies on its outer sanctuary ("Sangha's Land") have to come first to acquire a deeper knowledge of the architectural layout of the temple as a whole. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire layout of Buddhist monasteries of the Silla dynasty, including both their inner and outer sanctuaries, the studies on Hwangnyongsa Temple are essential as it was once the kingdom's most highly honored temple. The studies on Korean Buddhist monasteries of the Three Kingdoms Period have produced only a limited amount of information concerning the outer sanctuary, resulting in little evidence about the exact scope of the temple's sanctuary. Meanwhile, the excavations of the Hwangnyongsa Temple site have revealed the archaeological features of the walls that divided the monastery and its neighboring facilities, thus helping to delineate the size of the temple site. The excavations have revealed the boundaries between the inner and outer sanctuaries of Hwangnyongsa Temple, as well as the entire temple precincts and the exterior, providing valuable information about the changes made to the layout of the temple. In this study, the main discussion focuses on the changes made to the sanctuary of Hwangnyongsa Temple during the Unified Silla and Goryeo Periods, particularly in relation to the architectural layout of the temple. The discussion is based on a review of the periods in which the Nammunji(South Gate site) was built, which provides tangible evidence about the expansion of the temple to the south, and the walls enclosing the temple precincts on the four sides and the changes that occurred afterwards. As a result, the study concludes that both the inner and outer sanctuaries of the temple probably changed through the 1 st and 3rd. It also concludes that the changes made to the architectural layout of Hwangnyongsa Temple were intended not only to alter the scope of the temple but were also closely associated with the politico-geographical significance of its location at the center of the royal capital of Silla and the urban archaeological remains around it.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2002

Bulku temple in the city of Kyungju, Korea, built in 791 and reconstructed in the 20th century, is the home of seven national treasures including two three-story stone pagodas, Dabotap (height 10.4m, width 7.4m, weight 123.2ton) and Seokgatap (height 10.8m, width 4.4m, weight 82.3 ton). An earlier archaeological investigation shows that stone pagodas have experienced severe weathering process which will threaten their stability. At the base part of Dabotap, an offset of the stone alignment is also observed. For the purpose of the structural safety diagnosis of two pagodas, we introduce the nondestructive geophysical methods. Site characteristics around the pagodas are determined by the measurement of multiple properties such as seismic velocity, resistivity, image of GPR(ground-penetrating radar). Near the pagodas, the occurrence of high resistivity (up to 2200 Ωm) is obvious whereas their outskirts have as low as 200 Ωm. For the velocity of the P wave, the site of Dabotap has the range of 500~800 m/s which is higher than counterpart of Seokgatap with the velocity of 300~500m/s, indicating the solider stability of Dabotap site. Consequently, in addition to GPR images, the foundation boundaries beneath each stone pagodas are revealed. The Dabotap site is in the form of an octagon having 6-m-long side with the depth of ~4m, whereas the Seokgatap site the 9m × 10m rectangle with the depth of 3m. These subsurface structures appear to reflect the original foundations constructed against the stone load of ~8 ton/㎡. At the subsurface beneath the northeast of each pagoda, low seismic velocity as well as low resistivity is prominent. It is interpreted to represent the weak underground condition.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.48-65
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• 2009

In order to understand the local vegetation history and the origin of rice cultivation, a phytoliths analysis was performed with sediments collected from archaeological site at Ga-dong in Gijang, Busan. From the analysis with the sediments of three sampling sites, fan-shape phytoliths of Oryza sativa were detected: sediment 8 ~ sediment 29 of sampling site 1, sediment 6 ~ sediment 20 of sampling site 2 and sediment 7 ~ sediment 33 of sampling site 3. On the bottom layers or near the bottom layers from the three sampling sites, high densities of Arundinoideae and Andropogoneae were detected. It indicates that these layers were wet soil environment when they were sedimented. From near bottoms up to surfaces, the densities of Arundinoideae and Andropogoneae were abruptly decreased, while the density of Oryza sativa was sharply increased. With these results, it should be considered that the rice cultivation was started from the Bronze Age on this region.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.43-58
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• 2019

After the study of Fujishima Gaijiro(1930), although it is common to see that the Tang-ruler(唐尺) was used in the construction of the Silla Sacheonwangsa temple(679), the basis of the discrimination of the construction measure and the detection of the unit length is not actually sufficient since conventional research was done before the excavation. The study was based on archaeological results, which was secured through the excavation research(2006~2012) of the temple site in recent years, to determine the construction measure and try to detect the unit length. In the analysis of the measured value of the ruins, the numerical data were obtained through measurements on drawings of the ruins, the tendency of conversion measure's number appearing by dividing each unit length of the Goguryeo-ruler(高句麗尺) and Tang-ruler within a certain range was compared from the Wansu-je(完數制) viewpoint. The research results are summarized as follows : 1)As a result of the analysis of the distance between the site's center, the case that conversion Cheok's(尺) number is converged to the unit of Jang(丈) within the range of unit length expresses three times more in Tang-ruler, and it is confirmed that a simple multiple relationship based on the unit of Jang is established between conversion Cheok's number. 2)As a result of analysis of Bokan(梁間) of the each Corridor site and the measured value of the stonework ruins, it could be confirmed that appears overwhelmingly in the Tang-ruler when conversion Cheok's number becomes an integer within the range of unit length. The results of the analysis are judged to be a clear basis for viewing the Tang-ruler as the construction measure of the Sacheonwangsa temple. 3)The estimated unit lengths of the construction measure that were obtained from the analysis of the distance between the site'scenter, the foundation stone center distance of the building site and the measured value of the stonework ruins are slightly different. There is a limit to the verification of the construction error about this, however it is difficult to specify, it is mentioned 294.37mm which is obtained from the analysis of the distance between the site's center.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.306-333
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• 2010

Previous studies on Wolseong fortress have focused on capital system of Silla Dynasty and on the recreation of Wolseong fortress due to the excavations in and around Wolseong moat. Since the report on the Geographical Survey of Wolseong fortress was published and GPR survey in Wolseong fortress was executed as a trial test in 2004, the academic interest in the site has now expanded to the inside of the fortress. From such context, the preliminary research on the fortress including geophysical survey had been commenced. GPR survey had been conducted for a year from March, 2007. The principal purpose of the recent 3D GPR survey was to provide visualization of subsurface images of the entire Wolseong fortress area. In order to obtain 3D GPR data, dense profile lines were laid in grid-form. The total area surveyed was $112,535m^2$. Depth slice was applied to analyse each level to examine how the layers of the remains had changed and overlapped over time. In addition, slice overlay analysis methodology was used to gather reflects of each depth on a single map. Isolated surface visualization, which is one of 3D analysis methods, was also employed to gain more in-depth understanding and more accurate interpretations of the remain The GPR survey has confirmed that there are building sites whose archaeological features can be classified into 14 different groups. Three interesting areas with huge public building arrangement have been found in Zone 2 in the far west, Zone 9 in the middle, and Zone 14 in the far east. It is recognized that such areas must had been used for important public functions. This research has displayed that 3D GPR survey can be effective for a vast area of archaeological remains and that slice overlay images can provide clearer image with high contrast for objects and remains buried the site.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.54-70
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• 2023

Surveys and studies on cultural assets using LiDAR measurement are already active overseas. Recently, awareness of the advantages and availability of LiDAR measurement has increased in Korea, and cases of using it for surveys of cultural assets are gradually increasing. However, it is usually restricted to surveys of mountain fortresses and is not actively used for surveys of ancient tombs yet. Therefore, this study intends to emphasize the need to secure fundamental data from LiDAR measurement for the era from the Three Kingdoms to Unified Silla in which recovery, maintenance, etc., in addition to the actual surveys, are unfulfilled due to the sites being mainly distributed in mountainous areas. For this, LiDAR measurement was executed for the area of Jangsan Ancient Tombs and Chunghyo-dong Ancient Tombs in Seoak-dong, Gyeongju, to review the distribution and geographical conditions of ancient tombs. As a result, in the Jangsan Ancient Tombs, in which a precision archaeological (measurement) survey was already executed, detailed geographic information and distribution conditions could be additionally identified, which could not be known only with the layout indicated by the topographic map of the existing report. Also, in the Chunghyo-dong Ancient Tombs, in which an additional survey was not conducted after 10 tombs were found during the Japanese colonial period, the location of the ancient tombs initially excavated was accurately identified, and the status and additional information was acquired, such as on the conditions of ancient tombs not surveyed. Such information may also be used as fundamental data for the preservation and maintenance of future ancient tombs in addition to the survey and study of the ancient tombs themselves. LiDAR measurement is most effective for identifying the condition of ancient tombs in mountainous areas where observation is difficult or access is limited due to the forest zone. It may be executed before on-site surveys, such as archaeological surveys, to secure data with high availability as prior surveys or pre-surveys. Therefore, it is necessary to secure fundamental data from LiDAR measurement in future surveys of ancient tombs and to establish a survey and maintenance/utilization plan based on this. To establish survey/study and preservation/maintenance measures for ancient tombs located in mountainous areas, a precision archaeological survey is currently executed to draw up a distribution chart of ancient tombs. If LiDAR measurement data is secured before this and used, a more effective and accurate distribution chart can be drawn up, and the actual conditions can be identified. Also, most omissions or errors in information can be prevented in on-site surveys of large regions. Therefore, it is necessary to accumulate fundamental data by actively using LiDAR measurement in future surveys of ancient tombs.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.22
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• pp.27-40
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• 2001

DNA typing is often used to determine identity from human remains. Recently, the molecular biological analysis of ancient deposits has become possible since methods for the recovery of DNA conserved in bones or teeth from archaeological remains have been developed. In the field of archaeology, one of the most promising approaches is to identify the individuals present in a mass burial site. We performed nuclear DNA typing and mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis based on PCR from a Korea ancient human remain excavated from Sa-chon Nuk-island and civilian access controlline(CACL). A femur bone were collected and successfully subjected to DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification, and subsequently typed for several shot tandem repeat(STR)loci. 4 types of STR systems used in this study were CTT multiplex(CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01), FFv multiplex(F13A01, FESFPS, vWA), Silver STRⅢ multiplex(D16S539, D7S820, D13S317), and amelogenin for sex determination. This studies are primarily concerned with the extraction, amplification, and DNA typing of ancient human bone DNA samples. Also, it is suggestive of importance about closely relationship between both fields of archaeology and molecular biology.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.17 s.17
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• pp.65-72
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• 2005

To preserve straw sandals excavated at Goongnamji site, this study examined the weight change rate by applying the methods of Primal MC-76 and vacuum freeze-drying used mostly as a earth-layer hardening material among PEG and acrylic resin, which are applied widely for preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood, as a means to preserve plant-based cultural properties along with the examination of the subject material. An experiment was also performed on moisture absorption after treatment. The materials of sandals were identified as Typha spp. The weight change experiment revealed that the vacuum freeze-drying after being treated with PEG 2-Step showed the most stabilized changes in weight, while it offered the smallest change in color as well.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2010

A bronze dagger excavated from the historical site at Bongili in Gyeongju was examined for its microstructure and chemical compositions. The results show that it was forged out of the Cu-10 weight % Sn alloy having no lead. The application of forging in fabrication and the use of an unleaded alloy distinguish this artifact from other bronze daggers that have been reported in Korea, the majority of which were cast from leaded Cu-Sn alloys. This dagger is a rare and valuable archaeological material suggesting a unique bronze technology practiced in ancient Gyeongju area.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-66
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• 2024

There is a lot of evidence of early port cities and small habitation sites along the Thai-Malay Peninsula's coastlines. These sites appeared on the trans-peninsular routes during the Maritime Silk Roads period, from 2,000 to 1,500 BP. The Thai-Malay Peninsula was mentioned in many documents as Suvarnabhumi (India), Aurea Chersonese (Greek), and Jin Lin (Chinese), meaning the Golden Land. Ptolemy's map displays that there were many port cities along this peninsula. It corresponds to the Milinda-panha, which depicts many port cities in Suvarnabhumi. Foreign documents primarily documented the presence of major port cities, while inland habitation sites received less recognition. This paper aims to reconstruct the trans-peninsular routes in order to understand their networks, connections, and roles. The second aim is to understand the hierarchy of each site. This paper will focus on two important settlements and high-value artifacts along three routes: the Kra Isthmus Route, the Pho Khao Thong and Tha Chana Route, and the Krabi to Surat Thani Route. I conducted an archaeological survey of these three routes and others during 2021-2023 under the Suvarnabhumi Studies Center, TASSHA Institute, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.