• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.748-766
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• 2021

The Iksan Ssangneung (twin tombs), a pair of tombs comprising the Daewangneung (large royal tomb) and the Sowangneung (small royal tomb), were constructed in the typical style of stone tunnel and chamber tombs in the Baekje Kingdom during the Sabi period (538 to 660 AD) of ancient Korea. Soil layers exposed during excavation of Sowangneung in a trench east of the tomb are: the bottommost layer, the ground level layer, the Panchuk (rammed earth) layer of the Baekje, the layer created by a grave robbery, and soil recovered during the Japanese colonial period. Soil samples were obtained by segmenting an easy stratigraphic horizon into sub categorized soil layers, and their material properties were analyzed; they are composed mainly of sandy loam based on the particle size distributions. In the site foundation, loamy sand is packed in the bottommost layer, and sandy loam with high sand and silty sand fills most of the overlying layer. The central and topmost portion of the Baekje layer is composed of loam with high clay content. All soil layers show geochemical behaviors similar to those of the bottommost layer. X-ray diffraction analysis verified kaolinite in all layers, also observed in soil layers displaying high crystallinity. Kaolinite and halloysite were identified by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we conclude that the Baekje layer of the Sowangneung is composed of sandy loam containing kaolin procured from near the site. An impermeable middle to upper layer was created using viscous loam. The top of the tomb was closed tightly.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.155-171
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• 2010

King Seong carried out the large-scale construction transferring the capital from Wungjin (Gongju) to Sabi (Buyeo) in 538. But because most of the Buyeo area was the low swamp in the time, it needed above all to form a site before transferring the capital. Until recently, in addition to the scientific excavation, the relief excavations for the construction of new building or the formation of road were conducted on many sites in the Buyeo area. As a result, many remains which were formed on the low swamp including the temple site of Neungsan-ri, Dongna Castle, the remains of Ssangbuk-ri (280-5 Bukpo, Hyeonnaedeul) and the remains of Gua-ri were identified. Also in these remains, the various engineering construction methods irrespective of the nature of remains were used for the purpose of the soft ground reinforcement as follows: mattress method of construction, pile designation, stone alignment, filing of decomposed granite soil, culverts and storage tanks. Especially, the mattress method of construction and the pile designation are thought to be the traditional engineering construction method at least in that they are appeared since the Three Han Sates era. And these soft ground construction methods had an effect on the construction of reservoir in Japan at the time. In the future, the construction method for soft ground reinforcement shall be concerned and studied further in the architecture and the civil engineering as well as the archeology.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.343-350
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• 2020

In this paper, we present the results of research on the reconstruction of ancient routes of ancient civilization exchange that were once present in the North Jeolla region, which was undertaken by adopting a convergent approach to develop 'Silkroadpia', which is an online platform for the curation and sharing of archaeological and historical spatial data, and 'MEPTA(Multiple Evidence Based Path and Territory Finding Algorithm)'. The results of the research make it possible to reconsider the region's historical identity and its important role in facilitating cultural exchange on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia. The results can also be used to provide the theoretical basis for the government's land planning policies and for the production of cultural contents that can be used for local regeneration. The ancient route associated with the Baekje Restoration Movement, that took place after the fall of Sabi in 660 CE, was the case study examined in this paper, which discusses the academic value of reconstructing the ancient route, as well as its future use in providing cultural contents.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.162-177
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• 2014

This article examined the burial type, wooden coffin and its historical significance of Iksan Ssangneung, the royal tombs of Baekje. Ssangneung was found to be the royal tombs of King Mu(武王) and queen through the burial type, wooden coffin, articles such as chinese jade ornaments and the deep relationship between King Mu and Iksan region. The reason of constructing Baekje royal tombs in Iksan region can be examined at many aspects. First, Iksan was a very important place for King Mu. Because Iksan was the basis of his political growth. Also, Iksan was a important geopolitical location in relation with Silla(新羅). For this reason, Iksan was developed in earnest. The construction of major facilities such as royal palace and temples in Iksan suggest the transfer of the capital from Sabi(泗?) or the preparation and partial execution at least. However, the transfer of the capital was not completed. It can be seen as the incomplete city. However, even after King Mu Iksan was maintained as the important region by King Euja(義慈王). It can be seen through the maintenance of great temples such as Jeseoksa(帝釋寺) and Mireuksa(彌勒寺) built at later period of King Mu and royal palace area, even though royal palace had turned into the temple. These inherited consciousness may have been embodied in the act of building royal tombs of King Mu and queen.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.142-157
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• 2016

In 2008, the oldest wooden tablets, in the Baekje area, were uncovered from the Bogam-ri site in Naju. This paper defines wooden tablets to as objects with inking inscriptions. Of 65 wooden tablets contained in the excavation report of this site, this paper examines the meanings of 13 tablets with inscriptions written in ink by comparing them with other tablets found in the Baekje area. All tablets were unearthed from Pit Feature No. 1, a large-scale feature, at this site. Vertical stratigraphy of the feature is divided into 43 layers; but it seems that it does not reflect the chronological order, since unearthed artefacts, including wooden tablets, pottery, and roof tiles, turned out to be produced at the same age. Wooden tablets were not found in other features, and intentionally buried in this feature. Typological characteristics of wooden tablets indicate that the pit was the secondary refuse place. The inscription of the wooden tablets labeled 'gyeongonyeon(庚午年)' and the radiocarbon dates of them indicate that these tablets were created in the early 7th century AD, centered in 610 AD. On the basis of contents and typological characteristics, these are classified into six documents, six tags, and one tablet for other purpose. Total 89 pieces of wooden tablets have been unearthed in the Baekje area. Except tablets found in Naju and Geumsan, all have been collected in palaces, royal gardens, and temples inside and outside of the Sabi Capital. The significant wooden tablets of Baekje, which can be compared with tablets from Bogam-ri, were unearthed at from the Gwanbuk-ri site, the Gungnamji site, and the Ssangbuk-ri 280-5 site. Comparative studies on wooden tablets have revealed that the place name during the Wungjin Commandery Period, the status marking method standardized in the order of place name, official rank and person's name, the fact that Baekje operated the system of prefecture(郡), and Bogam-ri was one of the places where prefecture was established, and the evidence of family register system. Wooden tablets at Bogam-ri record the documented date (610 AD), the documented place (Duhilseong where the prefecture established), and the writers (advisors and staffs of the prefecture). The recorded contents of them are invaluable data showing the local administrative system of Baekje, such as the status marking method, the means of description, the family-register system, and the land surveying system.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.260-285
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• 2021

This article deals with the current status of investigation of the royal tombs of Baekje (Gongju Songsan-ri Tomb, Buyeo Neungsan-ri Tomb, Iksan Ssangneung) from the Japanese colonial period to the present. A review of the maintenance status is also conducted to see if the survey content was actually reflected in the restoration maintenance of the ruins. First, the structure scale and characteristics of the royal tombs of Baekje during the Woongjin and Sabi periods were identified by examining the survey content organized by period and feature. Through the recent re-excavation survey, it was confirmed that the results of the research during the Japanese colonial period were being verified. Next, before examining the maintenance status of the Baekje royal tombs, related content about maintenance of laws and regulations were extracted to establish the maintenance standards. It was confirmed that the most importance part of maintenance is 'maintenance of the original form' without compromising the authenticity of cultural properties. Based on these criteria, the maintenance status was reviewed. The main part of the burial tomb is located underground, so maintenance is mainly made around the tomb, which is the upper structure. However, most of the original burial mounds have been lost or damaged, so it is difficult to determine their original form. In fact, constant changes in the size and location of tombs from the Japanese colonial period to the present were confirmed in the Songsan-ri and Neungsan-ri tombs, meaning that the current maintenance status is problematic. On the other hand, in the case of Ssangneung, not only are the tombs relatively intact, but there are also few changes in the records, so it seems that maintenance was carried out that preserved the original form of the tombs. Therefore, the maintenance of tombs in the future should be based on 'maintaining the original form', but it is recommended that the 'education and utilization' plan be prepared after determining whether or not to restore the tomb and the degree of restoration.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.168-184
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• 2022

This paper examined the construction techniques of the earthen fortifications in the Hanseong Period of Baekje Kingdom, which has been researched most frequently among the Three Kingdoms. The construction processes of the Earthen Fortifications were reviewed and dividing into 'selection of location and construction of the base', 'construction of the wall', and 'finish, extension and repair'. The results show that various techniques were mobilized for building these earthen fortifications. Techniques which were adequate for the topography were utilized for reinforcing the base, and several other techniques were used for constructing the wall. In particular, techniques for wall construction may be clearly divided into those of the fill(盛土) and panchuk(版築) techniques. The fill method has been assumed since the 2000s to have been more efficient than the panchuk technique. This method never uses the structure of the panchuk technique and is characterized by a complex soil layer line, an alternate fill, use of 'earth mound(土堤)'/'clay clod(土塊)', and junctions of oval fill units. The fill method allows us to understand active technological sharing and application among the embankment structures in the period of the Three Kingdoms. The panchuk technique is used to construct a wall using a stamped earthen structure. This technique is divided into types B1 and B2 according to the height, scale, and extension method of the structure. Type B1 precedes B2, which was introduced in the late Hanseong Period. Staring with the Pungnap Earthen Fortification in Seoul, the panchuk technique seems to have spread throughout South Korea. The techniques of the fill and panchuk techniques coexisted at the time when they appeared, but panchuk earthen fortifications gradually dominated. Both techniques have completely different methods for the soil layers, and they have opposite orders of construction. Accordingly, it is assumed that both have different technical systems. The construction techniques of the earthen fortifications began from the Hanseong Period of Baekje Kingdom and were handed down and developed until the Woongjin-Sabi Periods. In the process, it seems that there existed active interactions with other nations. Recently, since studies of the earthen fortifications have been increasing mainly in the southern areas, it is expected that comparative analysis with neighboring countries will be done intensively.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.305-321
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• 2022

The stone chamber tomb in Eungpyeong-ri, Buyeo, is a joint tomb that contains the bodies of two individuals. This paper investigates the relationship between the buried persons and the characteristics of the stone chamber tomb. Based on the geographical location, relics, and the excavated human bones, it was determined that the tomb was built during the Sabi Period of the Baekje Dynasty and that the buried individuals were most probably residents of high stature or government officials. To study the excavated bones, the remains were carefully collected and conservation was carried out. Before collecting samples from the human bones for the analytical research, the results of near-infrared analysis were used to collect the samples for the isotope analysis and DNA analysis. The most important issue when handling the excavation site was the reinforcing agent and the concentration of the agent used. In situations like this, Paraloid B-72 is the most suitable agent. When the shape of human bones was difficult to distinguish from the soil, conservation was performed using X-ray and CT imaging data. The same chemical used for the reinforcement of the site was used to complete a minimum level of conservation to the surface areas where the conservation treatment of removing foreign substances, the reinforcement areas, and bonded areas were carried out. The collagen yield from the sample obtained at selected position was 3.8% to 6.1%. The results of analyzing the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen found in the extracted collagen showed that the stable isotope ratios came out to δ¹³C -18.3‰±0.1‰, -19.0‰±0.1‰ for EBW and δ¹⁵N 10.7‰±0.5‰, 10.6‰±0.1‰ for EBE. It is believed the two individuals consumed small amounts of minor cereals, mainly from C₃ plants, and protein was obtained from eating terrestrial animals. What's more, the deviations in data obtained from the two individuals were so small that it could be inferred that the individuals ate similar foods. Considering the preservation state of the sample, amplifying DNA for the DNA analysis would have been very difficult since the amount of surviving DNA was so deficient. For DNA analysis, it is anticipated that the results could be derived by applying improved extraction methods that will be developed in the future. In this research, any association between scientific analysis(DNA and stable isotope ratio) and near-infrared spectroscopy was difficult to establish. Further research is needed on the utilization of near-infrared analysis for gathering samples from human bones.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

The ancient North-East Asian royal garden is divided into three types, located in the north inside the palace, in the north outside the palace, and in the south inside or outside the palace, depending on the location relationship between the royal capital and the royal palace. The first is a typical royal garden that follows the ancient Chinese court system of the Chao-hu-chim(前朝後寢). The second is a royal garden located independently of the royal palace, which extends to Geumwon(禁苑). The third is located in the south of royal palace and is the royal garden specialized in Yurak(遊樂) or Hyangyeon(饗宴). The types of ancient North-East Asian royal gardens are classified according to the relationship between main palace(正宮) and secondary palace(別宮), detached palace(離宮), and Geumwon(禁苑), and each has unique characteristics. The first has been established as the garden of the main palace, including the royal garden at Wanggung-ri site in Iksan(益山 王宮里 遺蹟), Han Chang'an capital(漢 長安城), BeiWei Luoyang capital(北魏 洛陽城), Jiankang capital in Southern Dynasties(南朝 建康城), and Daminggong(大明宮) in Tang Dynasty. Here, the royal garden is divided into Naewon(內苑) inside the royal palace and Geumwon(禁苑), outside the royal palace. On the other hand, the second is the royal garden that the royal palace and Geumwon(禁苑) are united. The third is the royal garden that forms part of the royal palace or is independent of the royal palace, and has been specialized as a secondary palace(別宮) and detached palace(離宮). China created the model of ancient North-East Asian royal gardens, and based on this, Baekje, Silla, and Japan of Korea influenced each other and developed a unique palace by showing their originality. The royal garden at Wanggung-ri site in Iksan(益山 王宮里 遺蹟) was influenced by royal gardens of Wei-Jin and Northern & Southern Dynasties(魏晉南北朝). And royal gardens of the Sabi Capital(泗沘都城) were influenced by royal gardens of Jin(秦), Han(漢), Sui(隋), and Tang(唐), and royal gardens of Silla(新羅) were influenced by the royal gardens of Baekje(百濟) and Silla. However, each of these royal gardens also has its own unique characteristics. From this aspect, it can be seen that the ancient North-East Asian court had different lineages depending on the region. Anhakgung Palace in Pyongyang(平壤 安鶴宮) is more likely to be viewed as the Three Kingdoms period than the Goryeo Dynasty. However, it is difficult to raise it to the 5th and 6th centuries due to the overlapping relationship and relics of the lower part of Anhakgung Palace(安鶴宮), and it is generally presumed to be the middle of the 7th century. The royal garden at Anhakgung Palace is a secondary palace(別宮) or detached palace(離宮) that corresponds to the palace of Jang-an capital(長安城) in Pyongyang and is believed to have influenced Dongwon garden(東院庭園) of Heijokyu(平城宮) and Donggung(東宮) and Wolji(月池) in Gyeongju. From this point of view, Dongwon garden(東院庭園) of Heijokyu(平城宮) seems to be related to the palaces of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. This study has many limitations as it focuses on its characteristics and transitions due to the location of the palace in the large framework of ancient North-East Asian royal capital. If these limitations are resolved little by little, it is expected that the understanding of ancient North-East Asian royal gardens will be much wider.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.4-21
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• 2021

A stone mold from the Sabi period of Baekje was excavated at the western tombs in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo where there was a recent excavation survey (2016). It was believed and reported that such stone molds were used for copper needles during the early Iron Age; however, a close re-examination of the form revealed that they were used for bifid ornamental hairpins. Given its casting form, the stone mold of Neungsan-ri is estimated to have been used to make bifid ornamental hairpins in a ∩ shape, narrowing down toward the tip. It is considered an artifact of the Goryeo dynasty. The stone used to make the bifid ornamental hairpin mold of Neungsan-ri was chlorite-schist, the principal minerals of which include chlorite, amphibole, and talc. Similar rocks are in nearby Buyeo (Oesan-myeon), Cheongyang, Gongju, and Yesan. They are mainly found between Jiseon-ri, Oesan-myeon, Buyeo, Sucheol-ri, Yesane-up, and Yesan. Nearly 70 bifid ornamental hairpins from the Goryeo dynasty were excavated at Neungsan-ri, Buyeo and the surrounding areas. Among them, the bronze ones excavated from the tombs of Songguk-ri, Buyeo are estimated to have been made using this mold as they closely resemble the Neungsan-ri mold. Stone was likely the preferred material for molds to make bronze artifacts as it was easy to sink a die. Regarding the bifid ornamental hairpin cast excavated in Neungsan-ri, they obtained stones in nearby areas 20~50km from their location, made bronze artifacts, and distributed them to nearby sites during the Goryeo dynasty. These artifacts suggest that the casting technology of using a stone mold was still employed then.