Construction Process of Haenam Godam Dolmen Cluster Revealed

Excavation Site Opened on the 21st... Red Ma-yeon Pottery Shards Also Unearthed

The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association will open the excavation site of the Godam Dolmen Cluster in Eupho-ri, Hyeonsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do at 11 a.m. on the 21st. It is a small cluster of dolmens arranged in a north-south direction along the slopes of Seongmaesan Mountain. More than 200 dolmens are gathered here. A quarry is also distributed at the summit, which is evaluated to have high academic value.

The Korea Institute of Cultural Heritage conducted an investigation of four dolmens centered on a 7-meter large capstone (a large stone placed on top of supporting stones or pedestal stones) to identify the characteristics and value of the Godam Dolmen Cluster and to prevent damage. The size of the capstone was confirmed to be small-sized (length 150?245 cm, weight 2.0?7.5 tons). The structure was identified as a wedging stone type, where the capstone is supported by pedestal stones (flat stones supporting the capstone). Four or six pedestal stones were placed at regular intervals or the lower parts were stacked doubly to artificially level the capstone horizontally.

An official from the institute explained, "Based on the arrangement of the paving stones (crushed stones used as the foundation of the structure) laid around the capstone, it is estimated that the construction proceeded from the upper part to the lower part." He added, "Red slip pottery fragments from the Bronze Age were excavated inside No. 61 dolmen." Red slip pottery refers to pottery whose surface was coated with iron oxide and polished to a glossy finish before firing.