This study examined the growth of Haenam region on the basis of archaeological materials around the 3∼6th century. Haenam area had been one of hubs of the coastal route leading to Japan from China in the Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea already.
The a ...
This study examined the growth of Haenam region on the basis of archaeological materials around the 3∼6th century. Haenam area had been one of hubs of the coastal route leading to Japan from China in the Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea already.
The archaeological materials of Haenam region is similar to those of Yeongsangang river basin in the 3∼4th century. But in Haenam, the distinctive archaeological materials of the Yeongsangang river basin such as big jar burial and tombs had not very developed. Haenam region interacted with Baekje and Gaya at 4th century. The biggest factor of such exchanges is estimated to the gain and distribution of iron production, such as iron ingot.
Haenam region began to develop in earnest after the fifth century when the exchange between Wa(倭) and Baekje had become active. In connection with this, Wa type tombs first appeared at the islands of the south coast. This affected the localization of this stone chamber. Later, keyhole-shaped tombs and Wa type stone chamber had been constructed for each region. In addition, the tombs that feature of many regions is mixed appeared. So it is difficult to find its origin. Wa type elements are noticeable, but grave goods is showing the pluralistic exchange with Baekje(百濟), Gaya, Wa and Silla. We can guess that the Haenam region had become the subject of important negotiations to these polities. These pluralistic aspect makes it difficult to identify the construction main body of the mounds. But who constructed such tombs is probably the leading groups in that region.
The typical stone chamber of Sabi(泗沘) style had not constructed at Haenam in Sabi period. This suggests that the political status of Haenam region was not very high in Sabi period. This relates to the change in the trade routes of early 6th century. In other words, it relates to the development of the inland routes and deep-sea routes.
It is a very difficult problem to identify specifically whether any polities had existed in Haenan area. In order to examine the historical reality of the Haenam peninsula, a group of archaeological settlement, public facilities, tombs, defense establishment etc. should be considered comprehensively.
To the next, I looked at the growth and change process of Gochang(高敞) regional polities centering on archaeological data, especially tombs. There are at least five communities in the Gochang area. From the mid-3rd century through the 4th century, trapezoidal tombs had been distributed throughout the area. The village of this period is also well known. It was discarded after mid and late 4th century and burial mounds was built there. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, the tombs was not much different from that of the Yeongsan River basin, but it is more dominant in weapons and beads. This phenomenon reflects the geographical feature as a link between the Midwest and the Southwest.
In late 4th century to early 5th century, trapezoidal tombs had been built continuously, and individual wooden coffin or jar coffins had been used also. The village was moved to an alluvial area and many graves were made where it was formerly a village.
After the middle and late 5th century, a specific group grows in each community unit and constructs large-sized tombs such as key-hole shaped tombs. In addition to the traditional center of the Gochang River basin, this phenomenon is prominent in the area where it is located close to the port that leads from the coast to the inland and participated in negotiations with Baekje and Wa(倭). In these places, the aspect of tombs was different from the traditional center such as Bongdeokri(鳳德里).
From the end of the 5th century to the beginning of the 6th century, the Bongdeokri tomb group in Gochang area was considered to be more influential than the Naju Bogamni and Haenam Janggosan tomb group of the Yeongsan River basin in the Honam area. It is the dominant force of the Northern Limit, which has built a large tombs. In this way, the Gochang Bongdeokri tombs show that the Gochang area polities of the 5th and 6th centuries have developed in close relationship with the Baekje Kingdom, the Japanese Archipelago, and the Yeongsan River basin. The background of growth will be related to mediation of negotiation and seizure of the sea. In addition, Gochang region is distinguished by its specific pottery style from the Yeongsan River basin.
Similar to the Yeongsan River basin, the Baekje influence directly affected in mid-6th century. The Baekje-style stone chamber had been built on a mountain slope.
On the other hand, along with the growth of Baekje, it was required to develop not only coastal routet but also inland traffic. The Seomjin River basin was an important route to the south coast for the Baekje Kingdom, which had a close relationship with Wa. By the way, the Seomjin River basin was where big forces such as Daegaya and Baekje are encountered. Namwon area shows this situation well. In the Unbong Plateau in the upper part of the Nam River, the Daegaya big tombs were concentrated. On the other hand, the western part of Namwon city in the Seomjin River basin shows some trace of Daegaya’s cultural assets, but the Baekje's influence expansion is clearly visible since the 6th century. It is difficult to approach the reality of this region in terms of Daegaya and Baekje. Recently, the burials of the indigenous forces are being investigated. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the growth base of the indigenous forces, the growth process of the local forces using the relationship between Baekje Kingdom and Daegaya.