Academic Advisory Meeting Held for Excavation Survey of Bunsanseong in Geochang-gun

The Dispersed Entity Revealed Draws Archaeological Interest

The Dispersed Entity Revealed Draws Archaeological Interest
[Image Source=Geochang-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province announced on the 8th that Park Jong-ik, a provincial cultural heritage committee member, along with related experts and officials, attended an academic advisory meeting on the excavation survey of Bunsanseong at the excavation site.

This excavation survey is part of the support project for non-designated Gaya cultural heritage. It aims to restore and clarify the reality of Gaya relics in the Geochang area by excavating the fortress wall, presumed north gate site, and water collection facility in the eastern valley, which were identified during a detailed surface survey by the Gyeongnam Research Institute in March last year, conducted by the Gyeongsang Cultural Heritage Research Institute.

At the academic advisory meeting, the excavation team explained the results of the excavation survey on the fortress wall section, presumed north gate site, and water collection site trial excavation, followed by an in-depth review of the structure, characteristics, and construction period of Bunsanseong.

According to the opinions of the advisory committee members present that day, Bunsanseong is a fortress constructed by Silla after the late 6th century and is believed to be closely related to Silla’s occupation of the Gaya forces in this region.

Additionally, it was suggested that the fortress, approximately 840 meters in length, is a typical Silla military administrative unit fortress with sufficient historical value.

Furthermore, the presence of about 7-meter-wide stone fortress walls and retaining walls and retaining earth at the base of the outer wall was confirmed, and it was expressed that further investigation is necessary to accurately determine the characteristics and construction period of Bunsanseong.

Bunsanseong is a terraced stone fortress built surrounding the summit of Pyeong Gangsang Mountain (235m), located at the center of the Geochang basin. It is a medium-sized Silla fortress with an overall circumference of about 840 meters, and its plan shape is an irregular oval. The maximum north-south length is about 283 meters, and the maximum east-west length is about 197 meters. It was recorded in old documents as Seongsan (城山), Seongsan Goseong (城山古城), and Goseong (古城).

The county stated that through this excavation survey, they will secure academic data on the construction entity, construction period, and construction process of Bunsanseong and prepare a systematic preservation and management plan for the site in the future.