• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.198-221
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• 2017

The Jjoksaem site is the eastern sector of Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Gyeongju(the 512th Historic site) called Wolseong North Burial Ground in academic community. The excavation and research of this site was conducted from 2007 to 2015, with the purpose of basic data offering for the restoration of Silla tumuli and development of ancient tomb park. As a result of the investigation, more than 700 new tombs were discovered except the 155 tumuli founded in the Japanese colonial era. Moreover, more than 70 percent of the smaller tombs, such as outer coffin tombs, were discovered here. There are four characteristics of outer coffin tombs in Jjoksaem site. First, it is recognized the Gyeongju-styled outer coffin tombs have a long rectangular shape, distinct from Gimhae-styled outer coffin tombs in a rectangular shape. Second, they are divided into three groups by the size of the grave area. This is indirectly related to the rank and the status of the buried person. Third, these tombs began to be constructed at the end of the 3rd century before the time of wooden chamber tombs covered by stone and earthen mound. They were ruined because of the new tombs constructed at the period of Maripgan. This reflects that the identity of the former tombs was not respected by the communities in the later generations. Outer coffin tombs were consistently made to the end of the era of wooden chamber tombs covered by stone and earthen mound. Lastly, the area of burial ground of outer coffin tombs is limited by wooden chamber tombs covered by stone and wooden mounds. Otherwise, the location of the burial ground for the deceased is limited by the status of the deceased. The idea that wooden chamber tombs covered by stone and earthen mound are located on the above ground turns out to be incorrect. In Jjoksaem site, there is little difference between the height of the circular burial protection stone and the height of the digging lines of the other tombs. In the case of No.44 tumulus, the lowest step of the circular burial protection stones is lower than those of the other tombs and tumuli. Research of outer coffin tombs at Jjoksaem site will be to suggest important academic data about the changing period from Saroguk, as the head of chiefdom union, to Silla, as state.

• 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.39
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• pp.5-38
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• 2006

Although in Korea there are only three examples of wooden coffins being found in burial mounds - from the Daho-ri, Songhyun-dong, and Munyung tombs, in Japan data on the shape and structure of wooden coffins from the Gofun era is relatively abundant. The wooden coffins of the Gofun era of Japan can be classified into either the dugout log style or the combined boards style according to their method of manufacture. They can also be divided by shape, into such categories as the boat shape, the split bamboo shape, the box shape, and so on. The box shape category can be further divided into the assembled type and the nailed type, according to how the boards are put together. Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) was favored as coffin-wood in all ages, but during the later Gofun era easily obtained woods such as the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) or the Hinoki Falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) were also used. The coffins found at Daho-ri and Songhyun-dong are similar to the Japanese dugout log style in shape and manufacture, while the king's and queen's coffins excavated at Munyung Tomb are seen to have had direct influence on the appearance of nailed coffins Japan. The coffin in Songhyun-dong 7th mound was originally a dugout log boat. It was probably used for practical reasons such as the bugproof, anti-corrosion qualities of camphor wood, not because of ideological reasons such as in a boat burial (in which the boat takes the deceased to the after world). Because the Changnyong region is inland, where camphor trees do not grow, using an already existing boat may have been the only way to procure a camphor-wood coffin. From historical circumstances, it may be inferred that the camphor trees were imported into Korea from Japan, between which there was much cultural exchange.

• Bangmulgwan gwa yeongu (The National Museum of Korea Journal)
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• v.1
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• pp.150-173
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• 2024

The Gyeongsang region experienced an epoch-making social transformation approximately around the second to first century BCE, including the replacement of Bronze Age types of tombs (such as dolmens, stone cist tombs, and earthen tombs with flat capstones) with clusters of wooden coffin tombs and the emergence of wajil pottery (soft stoneware) and ironware. These shifts in the archaeological material evidence have been discussed in the context of the formation of the states that comprised the three Han confederacies and in relation to wooden coffin tombs built in later periods. This paper explicates the appearance of clustered wooden coffin tombs with accompanying ironware by categorizing them. In particular, it examines the emergence of wooden coffin tombs by creating the Wolseong-dong type, which differs from Tomb No. 5 in Joyang-dong and Tomb No. 1 in Daho-ri with their deep burial pits and large quantities of prestige goods and soft stoneware items. The Wolseong-dong type of tomb commonly features ironware, including flat-bladed iron axes, oblong cast iron axes, iron wire, iron chisels, and iron swords; a small slender, rectangular wooden coffin tomb with a shallow burial pit of less than sixty centimeters; and pottery of a type preceding soft stoneware, such as long-necked jars, triangular attached-rim pottery bowls and pots, and mounted vessels. There are also a few bronzeware items found in them, but no prestige goods. This study scrutinizes tombs in Tamni-ri in Uiseong, Hagu-ri in Gyeongju, and Hakjeongdong in Daegu by comparing them with the Wolseong-dong type, and it confirms that in Sinseodong in Daegu, Wolseong-dong type tombs and later Joyang-dong type tombs have separate spatial distributions within the site. This also indicates that the Wolseong-dong type is a valid categorization among wooden coffin tombs. Although the rise of the Wolseong-dong type tomb is associated with the migration of a group, I reserve judgement on whether its origins should be understood in the context of the iron culture in the southwestern region of South Korea that was sparked by King Jun's advance to the south or if they lie in the western region of North Korea. Either way, the Wolseong-dong type is thought to be the tombs of a group of people with lower hierarchical status than the occupants of the later Joyang-dong type.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.12-20
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• 2006

The objectives of this study were to identify the species of coffin woods excavated at Ma-jeon relic in Jeonju and to date this coffin using tree-ring method. Al coffin woods were identified as red pines, most possibly, Pinus densiflora S. et Z. Tree-ring dating provides a calender year to each ring and produces the cutting date, if the bark presents. Due to the presence of bark and complete latewood present, the cutting date of the tree for coffin turned out between A.D. 1637 autumn and 1638 spring. However, due to the seasoning and storage periods, actual coffin manufacturing and burial time may be a little different from the tree-ring date.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.24
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• pp.13-22
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• 2008

The identification of species, hygroscopic property, and ability of ethylene gas absorption of 23 ancient charcoals excavated from wooden coffin burials and roof-tile kilns of Chudong-ri cultural site were investigated. All of the 12 charcoals excavated from wooden coffin burials were broad-leaved trees. Among the total 12 samples, 9 samples were Lepidobalanus and others were Celtis spp.. On the other hand, other 11 charcoals from roof-tile kilns were needle-leaved tree, Pinus spp.(hard pine). The broad-leaved tree charcoals from wooden coffin burials showed a higher moisture absorption capacity than needle-leaved tree charcoals from roof-tile kilns. The ethylene gas absorption was greater in the Lepidobalanus charcoal than that of Celtis spp. and Pinus spp. (hard pine) charcoal. The broad-leaved tree charcoal having high absorption ability of substances was due to a large microporous and specific surface area. Therefore, it was estimated that broad-leaved tree charcoals were filled in order to make favorable condition in tomb. The wood quality of pine is soft and easy to burn because of low specific gravity, as well as high calorific value by resin in wood. We could assume that the pine wood was used as fuel for roof-tile kilns because of easy control of heating and thermal power.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.18
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• pp.19-34
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• 2017

Analysis of the species of wood in the wooden materials and the chemical composition of the fabric of the clothing excavated from the tomb of Yi Jing (1580-1642) has determined that the wooden materials, including the coffin (內棺, naegwan), burial chamber(外棺, oegwan), chilseongpan(七星板, bottom-lining board), and fan-shaped slats were made of pine(Pinus densiflora). The analysis of the fabrics suggested that the cloth attached to the fan-shaped slats, the funeral banner with inscriptions, and the five pouches for the corpse (五囊, onang) were all made of silk. The jacket was made of plain-weave cotton, while the inner and outer cloth of the socks were made of cotton and hemp, respectively. Among the silk items, the pouches for the left and right feet (constituting the five pouches for the corpse) were made from a satin-weave figured silk, while the other silk items were made of ju(紬), or plain-weave silk fabric. Infrared analysis revealed that the fan-shaped slats were decorated with cloud patterns across the entire surface, while the funeral banner and the five pouches for the corpse bore ink inscriptions.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.104-121
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• 2016

Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri had been studied several times during the Japanese Colonial era. But, conceiving the general complexion of them is difficult for lack of data and analysis of previous studies are still insufficient. Thus, necessity of new approach and understanding in Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri are emphasized by the reviewing existing studies and conservation history. The Serial numbers of the Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri has been registered arbitrarily without clear guidelines from Japanese Colonial era until present time. It means previous studies were devoid of consideration for serial number changes. And, research has shown that Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri counts at least twenty, taking No.8 tomb of recent study into consideration. Moreover, in case of eastern tombs it needs changes in the existing perception that Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri consist of only six-tombs because there was no difference between eastern tombs and central sixtombs considering the burial chamber and lacquered wooden(koyamaki) Coffin. Ultimately, current state of Royal tombs in Neungsan-ri doesn't have authenticity because they had been found and regulated in the Japanese Colonial era. Consequently, it is required to overall study into entrance to burial chamber and covered burial stone marker and exaggerated mounds, ignored another tombs other than six-tombs in the center.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.63-84
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• 2022

One of the ancient nomadic cultures, the Saka is generally regarded as an important intermediary in the ancient Eurasian cultural network. This study is the reinterpretation of the excavations conducted on the Katartobe tombs site of the Saka culture through a joint three-year-long project by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Korea in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Research Institute under the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main discussion of the study deals with the burial rituals performed by the community who built the Katartobe tombs by the comparison and review of the various researches on the Saka tombs based on the archaeological artifacts discovered during excavation. The research has shown that the Saka tribes maintained the tradition of burying domesticated animals, such as horses, with its owner and performed burial rituals which often involved the use of fire. The archaeological remains of the Saka also show that the burial rituals like these formed the key aspect of their cultural heritage. The archaeological discoveries also show that the Saka mourners built wooden cists under a single mound when they needed to bury multiple corpses at once and sustained the practice of excarnation when burying the bodies of those who died in the different periods of time. Some burials included a tomb passage which was used not only for carrying the deceased but also for a separate burial ritual. The main discussion of this study also deals with the remnants of bones of animals buried with their deceased owners in the same kurgan, as well as the animal species and their locations in the kurgan, resulting in the discovery of diverse meanings connected with them. The pottery buried in the tombs were largely ceremonial offering vessels, just like others excavated at nearby Saka tombs and located around the buried corpse's head facing toward the west. The excavation of the tombs also shows that two vessels were arranged at the corners of the coffin where the feet are located, revealing the characteristic features of the burial practices maintained by the tribe who built the Katartobe tombs. It may be too early to come to a definite conclusion on the burial practices of the Saka due to the relative lack of research on the kurgans across Central Asia. Excavations so far show that the kurgans clustered in a single archaeological site tend to display differences as well as uniformities. In conclusion, the ancient Central Asian tombs need more detailed surveys and researches to be able to make strides in an effort to restore the cultural heritage of the ancient Central Asian tribes who played a crucial role in the Eurasian cultural landscape.

• KOMUNHWA
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• no.60
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• pp.27-64
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• 2002

It has been known that pit-wooden chamber tomb with stone piling, pit-wooden chamber tomb, jar coffin tomb and fosse-girded tomb were the chief burial systems of the 'Jumtodae' pottery cultural age in Honam province. But in this thesis, I lay emphasis on