Pohang Relocates Inbiri Dolmens to Gimae Saemaeul Movement Birthplace for Preservation and Management

Relocated to Gimae Sports Ground for Systematic Preservation and Management
Inbiri Petroglyph with Bronze Age Stone Sword Designation as Gyeongbuk Cultural Heritage Sought

On August 7, the city of Pohang relocated five dolmen capstones from the Inbiri area in Gimae-myeon, Buk-gu, to the Gimae Saemaeul Movement Birthplace Sports Ground.

Moving Jeon Inbiri Dolmen (moved during past land readjustment process with 5 upper stones attached).

This measure was taken to address ongoing civil complaints resulting from repeated relocation requests by the landowner, and to systematically preserve and manage the dolmens.

Gimae-myeon in Buk-gu, Pohang, is home to 41% of all dolmens in the city, with 27 dolmen sites currently identified. The area is also considered highly valuable academically, as it features the Inbiri petroglyph depicting a Bronze Age stone sword.

Bronze Age stone sword-shaped Inbiri petroglyph.

The five dolmen capstones recently relocated from the Inbiri 49 beonji area are believed to have already been moved during a previous land readjustment process, making it impossible to determine their original locations. Earlier this year, a sample excavation survey of buried cultural heritage was conducted due to construction activities by the landowner, but no remains or artifacts were discovered.

It is highly likely that the locations of the dolmens were changed multiple times over a long period of cultivation and land adjustments. After confirming these circumstances, the city decided to proceed with the relocation in consultation with the National Heritage Administration’s Excavation Division, on the condition that the burial heritage survey had already been completed and the dolmens would be moved to land owned and managed by the city. Heritage experts were present at the relocation site to conduct an on-site inspection.

With this relocation, the city expects to protect the dolmens from future land readjustment and development activities, and to provide a learning space at the Gimae Saemaeul Movement Birthplace Sports Ground where citizens and tourists can learn about and experience the historical significance of the Gimae dolmens.

Pohang City also announced plans to install informational signs for dolmen cultural interpretation and, considering the high academic value of the Inbiri petroglyph, is pursuing its designation as a Gyeongsangbuk-do cultural heritage site.