Bangudae Petroglyphs
Encyclopedia
The Bangudae Petroglyphs are located in Daegok-ri, Ulsan
, South Korea
. This site of substantial engraved rock art was rediscovered in 1971 and was designated as the 285th National Treasure of South Korea
on June 23, 1995. The petroglyphs sit in an isolated forested area almost completely enclosed by steep mountains adjacent to the Daegok-cheon River, a tributary of the Taehwa River. There are three major panels in an area measuring 3 m in height and 10 m in length. A number of panels with similar rock-art motifs has been found nearby at the Cheonjeon-ni site.
It is commonly thought that the petroglyphs (Kr. amgakhwa or bawi geurim, 바위그림) at this site depict the physical embodiment of the hopes and wishes of prehistoric people. The petroglyphs were made to wish for a successful hunt or an abundance of prey. Rock art also serves to facilitate or symbolize religious rites, mythological or historical narratives, territorial markers, or decoration.
A few Korean scholars originally speculated that this rock-art tradition came from South Asia, but now it has generally come to be associated with rock art of the circum-Yellow Sea
area and Northeast Asia
. Thus, this site is an example of valuable cultural heritage because it provide clues as to the origins and movements of some of the first people in Korea. Also, since art is associated with religion, these stone carvings give clues to scholars about the society and customs of prehistoric people.
The petroglyphs are on a rock face shaped like the Korean letter 'ㄱ'. The cliff face is made of sedimentary rock and lies off a tributary of the Taehwa River
. Stylistically, the engravings depict dynamic and vivid figures with the abundant use of line and dots.
Some scenes depict human facial representations that have been called 'masked magicians' as well as hunters, fisher folk and boats. Interestingly, the fishermen use nets and the petroglyphs show details of the shape of boats.
The petroglyphs were made either by chiseling out the intended outline (Kr. Seonjjogi) and chiseling out the entire shape (Kr. Myeonjjogi). This type of stone-working technique suggests that the engravings were made towards the end of the Neolithic
or the start of the Bronze Age
. However, since the rock art is not associated with prehistoric settlements the dating of rock art in Korea is difficult and contentious.
Ulsan
Ulsan , officially the Ulsan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis with a population of over 1.1 million. It is located in the south-east of the country, neighboring Busan to the south and facing Gyeongju to the north and the Sea of Japan to the east.Ulsan is the...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. This site of substantial engraved rock art was rediscovered in 1971 and was designated as the 285th National Treasure of South Korea
National treasures of South Korea
The National Treasures of Korea are a numbered set of tangible treasures, artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value...
on June 23, 1995. The petroglyphs sit in an isolated forested area almost completely enclosed by steep mountains adjacent to the Daegok-cheon River, a tributary of the Taehwa River. There are three major panels in an area measuring 3 m in height and 10 m in length. A number of panels with similar rock-art motifs has been found nearby at the Cheonjeon-ni site.
It is commonly thought that the petroglyphs (Kr. amgakhwa or bawi geurim, 바위그림) at this site depict the physical embodiment of the hopes and wishes of prehistoric people. The petroglyphs were made to wish for a successful hunt or an abundance of prey. Rock art also serves to facilitate or symbolize religious rites, mythological or historical narratives, territorial markers, or decoration.
A few Korean scholars originally speculated that this rock-art tradition came from South Asia, but now it has generally come to be associated with rock art of the circum-Yellow Sea
Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea, which is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water golden...
area and Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia and Northeastern Asia refers to the northeastern subregion of Asia. Though the precise definition of Northeast Asia changes according to context, it always includes Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and is sometimes used to refer to these two regions exclusively.-Definitions:The...
. Thus, this site is an example of valuable cultural heritage because it provide clues as to the origins and movements of some of the first people in Korea. Also, since art is associated with religion, these stone carvings give clues to scholars about the society and customs of prehistoric people.
The petroglyphs are on a rock face shaped like the Korean letter 'ㄱ'. The cliff face is made of sedimentary rock and lies off a tributary of the Taehwa River
Taehwa River
The Taehwa River flows into the Ulsan Bay in the Sea of Japan . The river's entire 46-kilometer course lies in the within the metropolitan city of Ulsan. The Taehwa drains an area of nearly 645 km²; much of this lies within Ulsan, but portions of it lie in neighboring cities such as Gyeongju....
. Stylistically, the engravings depict dynamic and vivid figures with the abundant use of line and dots.
Description of rock art panels and motifs at Bangudae
There are over 200 individual petroglyph 'motifs' depicting 75 different land and sea animals as well as hunting scenes. Notable animal petroglyphs include a depiction of a tiger caught in a trap and a pregnant female tiger. Whales, shown with spears embedded in their bodies, can be seen too. Other depictions of whales show it carrying calves. Wild boars are depicted in mating scenes and others are seen with their babies by their side or are carrying them.Some scenes depict human facial representations that have been called 'masked magicians' as well as hunters, fisher folk and boats. Interestingly, the fishermen use nets and the petroglyphs show details of the shape of boats.
The petroglyphs were made either by chiseling out the intended outline (Kr. Seonjjogi) and chiseling out the entire shape (Kr. Myeonjjogi). This type of stone-working technique suggests that the engravings were made towards the end of the Neolithic
Jeulmun pottery period
The Jeulmun Pottery Period is an archaeological era in Korean prehistory that dates to approximately 8000-1500 BC.. It is named after the decorated pottery vessels that form a large part of the pottery assemblage consistently over the above period, especially 4000-2000 BC. Jeulmun means...
or the start of the Bronze Age
Mumun pottery period
The Mumun pottery period is an archaeological era in Korean prehistory that dates to approximately 1500-300 BC This period is named after the Korean name for undecorated or plain cooking and storage vessels that form a large part of the pottery assemblage over the entire length of the period, but...
. However, since the rock art is not associated with prehistoric settlements the dating of rock art in Korea is difficult and contentious.
Preservation concerns
Built from 1962 to 1965 and expanded between 1999 and 2002, the creation of the Sayeon Dam helps supply Ulsan with drinking water but the rocks on which the petroglyphs are carved are now periodically flooded for about eight months every year. The rock-art motifs are considered to be masterpieces of prehistoric art and an invaluable resource of prehistoric information. Historic and ongoing periodic flooding raises concerns of erosion and water damage. In 2002, an extensive study on the Bangudae and Cheonjeon-ni was undertaken by various institutions led by Ulsan university museum. Not surprisingly the study suggests that the Bangudae Petroglyphs must be better preserved.See also
- Prehistory of Korea
- Jeulmun Pottery PeriodJeulmun pottery periodThe Jeulmun Pottery Period is an archaeological era in Korean prehistory that dates to approximately 8000-1500 BC.. It is named after the decorated pottery vessels that form a large part of the pottery assemblage consistently over the above period, especially 4000-2000 BC. Jeulmun means...
- Mumun Pottery PeriodMumun pottery periodThe Mumun pottery period is an archaeological era in Korean prehistory that dates to approximately 1500-300 BC This period is named after the Korean name for undecorated or plain cooking and storage vessels that form a large part of the pottery assemblage over the entire length of the period, but...
- List of Korea-related topics
- National treasures of South KoreaNational treasures of South KoreaThe National Treasures of Korea are a numbered set of tangible treasures, artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value...
- National treasures of North KoreaNational treasures of North KoreaDesignated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...