First Excavation of the Gunsan Gaesadong Shell Midden
Artifacts Expected from the Bronze Age to the Three Kingdoms Period
The National Wanju Cultural Heritage Research Institute will conduct an excavation of the Gunsan Gaesadong Shell Midden from October 27, 2025, to December 15, 2025.
This marks the first full-scale investigation aimed at clarifying the prehistoric culture of Korea’s west coast. A shell midden is an archaeological site formed by accumulated shell deposits. Pottery, stone tools, and animal bones are often found together, making these sites important sources for understanding the daily life and natural environment of the time.
There are over 120 shell middens in the island and coastal regions of the west coast of North Jeolla Province, with more than 80 concentrated in Gunsan alone. The institute expects that this investigation will shed light on the development of prehistoric and ancient cultures along the west coast.
The Gunsan Gaesadong Shell Midden is notable for a shell layer over 50 centimeters thick, where artifacts from the Bronze Age through the Three Kingdoms period have been unearthed together. The research will also consider connections to major settlements in the area, such as the Gunsan Seonje-ri site and the Miryong-dong burial mounds.
The institute stated, "This is the first step toward a comprehensive understanding of the shell midden culture along the west coast," adding, "Through ongoing academic research, we will highlight the value of the region’s cultural heritage and continue systematic preservation studies."
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