Excavation of Joseon Dynasty Yomang Site at Bongrae Sayangdo, Goheung

Great Help in Research on Joseon Dynasty Beacon System and Maritime Defense Structure

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Song Gwi-geun) announced on the 25th that they confirmed a Joseon Dynasty Yomang site (a site used for observing the surroundings or sending signals from a high place) in the area of Bonghwasan, San 43-1, Sayang-ri, Bongnae-myeon, Goheung.

Goheung-gun, with permission from the Cultural Heritage Administration, conducted a joint excavation survey with Suncheon National University Museum from January 6 to 21, confirming two remains related to the Yomangdae.

The Yomang site is rectangular in shape and located at the southern summit of Bonghwasan. It is a facility for lighting smoke (smoke signaling facility) and fire (fire signaling facility) during wartime. The distance between the Yomangdaes is about 20 meters apart. Notably, the smoke signaling Yomangdae preserves the structure and form of a hearth capable of lighting fire in a complete state, marking the first such case.

The size of the Yomangdae for the fire signaling facility is 6.6m in length and 6.0m in width, while the smoke signaling Yomangdae measures 3.3m in length and 4.2m in width. No related artifacts were excavated.

The hearth facility appears to have been constructed by trimming natural bedrock, stacking small broken stones, and filling gaps with small stones and clay, showing a structure and form similar to a furnace facility.

Professor Choi In-seon, head of the investigation team from Suncheon National University Museum, said, “This was a meaningful survey confirming a new Joseon Dynasty Yomang site along with about 20 previously confirmed beacon sites in the Goheung area. It is expected to greatly help restore the culture related to Joseon Dynasty beacons in the southern coastal region of Jeollanam-do, including Goheung-gun, and to study the maritime defense system of the Joseon Dynasty.”

Additionally, Dr. Kim Ju-hong (Cultural Heritage Administration Cultural Heritage Expert Committee member) and Dr. Hong Seong-woo (Head of Research Department, Gyeongsang Cultural Heritage Research Institute), who attended as advisory committee members, stated, “Goheung is a place with so many beacon and Yomang sites that it can be called a beacon museum. The newly found Sayangdo Yomang is an important site that reveals its form and operation method. If an in-depth investigation is conducted in the future, the reality of Yomang in the Goheung area can be clarified.”

A county official said, “The newly confirmed Yomang site is expected to be important data for revealing the signal and defense system of the region during the Joseon Dynasty. Taking this survey as an opportunity, Goheung-gun plans to continue excavating and restoring cultural heritage to find the roots of Goheung and do its best to protect valuable cultural assets.”

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo sevenshim@asiae.co.kr