Traces of Prehistoric Maritime Activity Confirmed in Gunsan Seonyudo Waters

Discovery of Stone Age Knives in Underwater Excavation
Also Found: Baekja Inscribed Plates and Celadon Sa-i Ho

The waters around Seonyudo in Gunsan have been confirmed as a maritime activity hub dating back to prehistoric times. The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 27th that it conducted excavation surveys from April to October and unearthed over 180 artifacts spanning a wide range of periods. These include a stone dagger from the Bronze Age, pottery from the Three Kingdoms period, roof tiles from the Later Baekje period, Goryeo celadon, Buncheong ware, white porcelain, earthenware, and modern Onggi pottery.

A polished stone knife blade presumed to be from the Bronze Age

The most notable artifact is the stone dagger discovered for the first time through underwater excavation. It proves that maritime activities have been taking place in the Seonyudo waters since the Bronze Age. Although artifacts excavated from the Seonyudo shell mound (a refuse site formed by discarded shells) confirmed that prehistoric people inhabited the area, it was not clearly known whether maritime activities occurred at that time.

The white porcelain inscribed dish (白磁?文?匙) made during the Southern Song Dynasty of China and the celadon four-eared pot (靑磁四耳壺) are also noteworthy. Seonyudo was home to Gunsanjeong, a guesthouse where envoys traveling to Goryeo stayed. These artifacts are evaluated as evidence confirming that the area was a known intermediate stopover for ships traveling to and from China. Additionally, they suggest the possibility that an ancient Chinese ship is buried in the Seonyudo waters.

Various artifacts from different periods excavated this year in the Seonyudo waters.

The investigation of the Seonyudo waters began in 2020 following a diver's report of spotting artifacts underwater. The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage has excavated about 500 artifacts, including Goryeo celadon and Joseon Dynasty Buncheong ware and white porcelain, up to last year. Based on this, it is estimated that an ancient shipwreck is buried near the surveyed waters, and excavation surveys are planned to continue next year.