The History and Culture Hall is a place where you can witness the beauty of Korean cultural heritage in a relaxing environment. It showcases a wide range of cultural assets dating from the Neolithic Age to the Joseon period as well as various historical documents.
We introduce to you the artifacts and relics dating from the New Stone Age to the Bronze Age found in Western Gyeongsangnam-do Province
People began farming in the New Stone Age, even on the Korean peninsula. In order to cultivate land and reap what had been sown, people began settling down and formed an agrarian society. They made clay and ground stones to produce earthenware such as comb-pattern pottery and a wide range of tools.
The southern coast of Western Gyeongnam, in particular, attracted human settlement with an abundance of seafood, and this is why it contains many ruins and artifacts dating from the early and late Neolithic Ag. The countless shell mounds fund in some of the archipelago in the area attest to this. More recently, ruins have been found in the inland area such as Pyeonggeo-dong in Jinju.
덧무늬토기 Neolithic Age
This is the oldest type of pottery found in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. A clay band was attached to the earthenware to create a pattern, which was typically characterized by one or more horizontal lines along the mouth of the pottery. Other patterns that were added were in the form of a saw-tooth, parallel diagonal lines, etc.
빗살무늬토기 Neolithic Age
This was the name given to pottery wares where dots, lines, circles, etc. were drawn or imprinted using a comb-like instrument.
The Bronze Age on the Korean peninsula began around 1500~1000 B.C. New earthenware and stoneware emerged and replaced comb-pattern earthenware, and with the development of agricultural technology, an agricultural society began to form.
The tomb construction tradition represented by dolmens was established during this time, and tools were produced using the most advanced technology at the time.
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Earthenware Marking the Beginning of the Bronze Age Notched Raised Band Pottery Excavated in Daepyeong-ri, JinjuThis is earthenware from the earliest days of the Bronze Age. It has a clay band attached to the outer face and it was given a comb pattern or imprinted pattern using a tool.
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Exquisite Pottery Made by People in the Bronze Age Pottery with Eggplant Design 가지무늬 토기
彩文土器ㆍ彩陶 Excavated in Daepyeong-ri, Jinju
Bronze AgeThis is a piece of pottery with a branch pattern along the shoulder area. Thin and fine clay was used to smooth down the surface. It is known to have been used as a ceremonial container, and it is typically excavated from gravesites.
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Exquisite Pottery Made by People in the Bronze Age Red Burnished Pottery 붉은간토기
赤色磨硏土器ㆍ紅陶 Excavated in Sangchon-ri and Pyeonggeo-dong in Jinju
Bronze AgeThe earthenware made from clay was shaped and molded before being applied with oxidized steel. It was then smoothed down with a fine tool and fired.
Check out the diverse artifacts that provide a glimpse into the unique cultures of Byeonghan and Gaya, which served as a maritime trade hub in East Asia in the ancient times
According to the Book of Eastern Yi of the Records of the Three Kingdoms, there were three Han states comprised of dozens of small states in the southern part of the Korean peninsula during the Samhan period: Mahan, Jinhan and Byeonhan. Byeonhan, comprised of 12 smaller states, was situated in the present-day western Gyeongnam, and it boasted excellent steelmaking and sea navigation skills. Situated at a strategic location between Lelang, China and Kyushu, Japan, it served a critical role in East Asian (Korea, China and Japan) trade.
Neukdo Island is situated between the Port of Samcheonpo and Changseondo Island of Namhae-gun in Sacheon. The entire island is a giant archaeological site where around 13,000 artifacts originating from diverse countries in addition to shell mounds, tombs and settlements were found. The historical sites and artifacts are evidence demonstrating the fact that Neukdo Island in Sacheon served as a center of cultural exchange in East Asia around 2,000 years ago.
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Representing the Samhan Period Attached-rim Pottery 덧띠 토기
粘土帶土器 Excavated from Neukdo Island in Sacheon
SamhanThis is an earthenware with a clay band near the mouth. Pottery wares with clay stripes are largely divided into two types: a round type and a triangular type. The transition was made from the round variety to the triangular variety.
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Representing the Samhan Period Pocket type Jar 주머니모양 항아리
袋狀壺 Excavated from Changchon-ri in Jinju
SamhanThis is a well-known type of earthenware uncovered in the Yeongnam area that dates back to the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, along with jaws with horn-shaped handles. They were typically buried inside pit tombs and are deemed to have been made in order to be buried with the deceased, rather than to be used in everyday life.
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Representing the Samhan Period Jar with Horn-shaped Handle 쇠뿔모양 손잡이 항아리
組合式牛角形把手附壺 Excavated from Changchon-ri in Jinju
SamhanAlong with the pouch-shaped jars, this is a type of soft earthenware typically found in the Yeongnam area that dates back to the Proto-Three Kingdoms Period.
Gaya was a confederacy located on the west of the Nakdonggang River in the southern part of the Korean peninsula that existed along with Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Geumgwan Gaya located in the present-day Gimhae, Daegaya in Goryeong, Sogaya in Goseong, Ara Gaya in Haman, and Bihwa Gaya in Changnyeong among others flourished culturally.
The traces of Gaya from around the 5th century can be found in the western Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Sogaya, the city-state of the Gaya confederacy that was located around Goseong and Jinju, played an important role in forming an international maritime trade network on the southern coast and connecting it to the inland area of the Yeongnam and Honam areas. Daegaya, the leading power of the late Gaya confederacy that formed around Goryeong, governed a large area covering northern Gaya and Honam and formed an early form of an ancient state in the early 6th century, but it collapsed in 562.
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Transporting souls 도기바퀴장식뿔잔 Pottery vessel with chariot wheels
車輪飾土器 Treasure No. 637
Donated by Choi Gyujin
Three Kingdoms PeriodThis is a mounted cup with a cylindrical tube in the shape of two horns attached to each other. The wheels attached to the earthenware appear to represent a cart, and it is believed that they were to carry the spirit of the deceased buried with it to the underworld.
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Made in Daegaya Cylinder-shaped Vessel Stand 원통모양 그릇 받침
筒形器臺 Excavated rom Okjeon in Hapcheon and Okbong and Sujeongbong peaks in Jinju
Three Kingdoms PeriodThese are cylinder-shaped pottery stands made in Daegaya. Gaya pottery underwent advancement with those made by each city state such as Geumgwan Gaya, Ara Gaya, Daegaya and Sogaya exhibiting their own distinct characteristics.
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Ancient Sword with the Dragon and Phoenix Sword with Ring Pommel 고리자루 큰칼
環頭大刀 Excavated from Gyo-dong in Changnyeong
Three Kingdoms PeriodThis is mainly excavated from the large tombs of Gaya and Silla. Large swords with ring pommels were bestowed upon the leaders of different regions by the ruler.
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Wishing for the Well-Being of the High priest of Gaya Human Head-shaped Pottery Human Head-shaped Pottery
人頭形土器 Excavated from Jungcheon-ri in Jinju
Three Kingdoms PeriodThis is the first-ever human head-shaped pottery uncovered in Korea. This earthenware resembling a Greek helmet is estimated to have been made in Gaya in the 5th century. Measuring about 24cm in diameter, it is big enough to be worn by an actual person.
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The Style of Gaya People Gold Earrings 금 귀걸이
金製耳飾 Excavated from Jungan-dong in Jinju and Gyo-dong in Changnyeong
Three Kingdoms PeriodEarrings are accessories that have been used since prehistoric times. Earrings were most commonly made of gold, and because they were so aesthetically pleasing, they were quite popular in the Three Kingdoms period.
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The Style of Gaya People Jade Necklaces 옥 목걸이
玉製頸飾 Excavated from Jungan-dong in Jinju, Naesan-ri in Goseong and Okjeon in Hapcheon
Three Kingdoms PeriodThe Samhan people used to make fabulous accessories and ornaments from crystal, amber, agate, jade, and glass.
You can see the majestic and awe-inspiring cultural assets of the Unified Silla and Goryeo where Buddhism flourished.
After annexing Gaya, Silla defeated Baekje and Goguryeo in a series of war and achieved unification of the three kingdoms. During this period, Buddhism played an important role in uniting the different kingdoms, and Wonhyo, Uisang and other great monks emerged.
Gyeongsang-do Province contains cultural assets and historical sites associated with Buddhism from this time period. The most notable cultural properties include Myogilsangtap Pagoda at Haeinsa Temple, Jingamseonsadaegongtapbi Monument at Ssanggyesa Temple, and the historic site in Malheul-ri, Changnnyeong.
Most of the artifacts found at the historic site in Malheul-ri were stacked neatly inside an iron pot inside a pit. Why were they uncovered this way? The historic site in Malheul-ri was the site of a Buddhist temple in the late Silla period and the early Goryeo dynasty, during which revolts and plundering were rampant. It is speculated that the valuable items at the temple were stored inside the pit in order to avoid theft during the turbulent times.
The historic site in Malheul-ri, Changnyeong located on Hwawangsan Mountain
is speculated to have been the site of a Buddhist temple in the unified Silla period.
From the pit found on the southwestern corner of the Building No. 1 site,
more than 500 gilt-bronze artifacts were excavated, and most had been used to decorate
Buddhist altars or used in Buddhist rituals.
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Ornamental Plaque金銅裝飾板
장식판 -
Decorative plate金銅裝飾板
장식판 -
Incense burner香爐
향로 -
Bead金銅球
구슬 -
Lock with a dragon engraving金銅鍵
용이 새겨진 자물쇠 -
Lock engraved with Geumgang-yeoksasang (Diamond Deva)金銅鎖
금강역사상이 조각된 자물쇠 -
Door handle ornament engraved with the face of a beast金銅鋪首
짐승 얼굴이 새겨진 문고리 장식 -
Wind Chime金銅風鐸
풍탁
As evidenced by the emphasis on the importance of practicing the Buddha Dharma in Hunyosipjo by Taejo Wang Geon of the Goryeo dynasty, the vast majority of the people of Goryeo practiced Buddhism, and Buddhist events such as Yeondeunghoe or the Lantern Festival and Palgwanhoe, or the Festival of the Eight Vows, were held nationwide. During the times of national crisis such as the invasions by the Khitan people and the Mongols, woodblocks for the Great Tripitaka were made in order to overcome them with the power of Buddhism.
The cultural assets representing the Goryeo dynasty such as the artifacts excavated from Namseong-ri in Jinju and Yeongwonsaji Temple Site in Miryang as well as the celadons found in Hadong provide a glimpse into the refined aesthetic sensibility and religious lives of the people of Goryeo.
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Cultural assets excavated from Namseong-ri, Jinju 진주 남성리 출토 불교 문화재
晉州南星里出土品 GoryeoIn 1995, gilt-bronze instruments used in Buddhist rituals were found in Namseong-ri, Myeongseok-myeon, Jinju. Based on the inscription, it can be seen that the gyeongja (Buddhist ritual bells) were made by the local functionaries in Jinju to be donated to Jangheungsa Temple in 1180.
Yeongamsa Temple is situated on the southern foothills of Hwangmaesan Mountain located between Gayasan and Jirisan mountains. Based on the inscription on Jeogyeonguksajagwangtapbi (寂然國師慈光塔碑) Monument erected in 1023 that has been passed down as a rubbed copy now housed in the library of Seoul National University, it is speculated that the temple was founded before 1014 (5th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign over Joseon) when Seon master Jeogyeon entered nirvana.
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A Millennial Temple, Yeongamsa TempleThere remain stone structures such as a three-story stone pagoda and a twin line stone lantern at the temple site. During the archaeological project in 1984, various pieces of roof tiles, earthenware, and gilt-bronze standing Buddha from the Unified Silla Period to the Goryeo Dynasty were discovered here.
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A Millennial Temple, Yeongamsa TempleThere remain stone structures such as a three-story stone pagoda and a twin line stone lantern at the temple site. During the archaeological project in 1984, various pieces of roof tiles, earthenware, and gilt-bronze standing Buddha from the Unified Silla Period to the Goryeo Dynasty were discovered here.
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A Millennial Temple, Yeongamsa TempleThere remain stone structures such as a three-story stone pagoda and a twin line stone lantern at the temple site. During the archaeological project in 1984, various pieces of roof tiles, earthenware, and gilt-bronze standing Buddha from the Unified Silla Period to the Goryeo Dynasty were discovered here.
Yeongwonsa Temple in Miryang is famous for having been the residence of Bogamguksa Heungu (1251~1322), a national preceptor and teacher to King Chungseon of Goryeo. Remaining on the temple site today are the pagoda and stupa of Bogamguksa as well as stone statues of the buddha.
Prunus jar vase with a bird and flower pattern
청자상감영모초화문매병 靑磁象嵌翎毛草花文梅甁
Maebyeong(Plum bottle), Celadon with Inlaid Bird, Plant and Flower Design
Large bowl with a cloud and phoenix pattern
청자상감운봉문대접 靑磁象嵌雲鳳文大楪
Bowl, Celadon with Inlaid Cloud and Phoenix Design
A plate with a chrysanthemum pattern
청자상감국화문접시 靑磁象嵌菊花文楪匙
Octagonal Dish, Celadon with Inlaid Chrysanthemum Design
An octagonal plate with a chrysanthemum pattern
청자상감국화문팔각접시 靑磁象嵌菊花文八角楪匙
Octagonal Dish, Celadon with Inlaid Chrysanthemum Design
A plate with a chrysanthemum pattern
청자상감국화문접시 靑磁象嵌菊花文楪匙
Octagonal Dish, Celadon with Inlaid Chrysanthemum Design
매화 대나무 학무늬 매병 Goryeo
Treasure No. 1168
A jar vase (“maebyeong”) refers to a pottery ware with a small mouth and a large shoulder line that narrows down toward the bottom. It was used to hold liquid such as alcohol. In the case of this jar vase, it appears as though the body was used as a canvas, presenting a harmony of black and white inlays. The jar vase decorated with images of plum blossoms, bamboo, and crane seems to reveal the image of a world idealized by the aristocrats of Korea.
Check out the diverse types of pottery of Joseon from buncheong pottery to the ones used by the royal family
Of the Buncheong wares from the Joseon dynasty, there are those engraved with the name of the production site, the government office that used it, or marked as a government issue. It is believed that they were labeled with the name of the government office that used so that they could be managed more efficiently.
Bowl engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Jinju” and “Jang”
분청사기인화문진주장명대접 粉靑沙器印花文晉州長銘大楪
15th century, Joseon
The design of the bowl engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Jinju” and “Jang”
분청사기인화문진주장명대접 粉靑沙器印花文晉州長銘大楪
15th century, Joseon
The design of the bowl engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Jinju” and “Jang”
분청사기인화문진주장명대접 粉靑沙器印花文晉州長銘大楪
15th century, Joseon
Jar engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Hapcheon” and “Jangheunggo”
분청사기인화문합천장흥고명호 粉靑沙器印花文陜川長興庫銘壺
15th century, Joseon
The design of the jar engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Hapcheon” and “Jangheunggo”
분청사기인화문합천장흥고명호 粉靑沙器印花文陜川長興庫銘壺
15th century, Joseon
The design of the jar engraved with the Chinese characters that read “Hapcheon” and “Jangheunggo”
분청사기인화문합천장흥고명호 粉靑沙器印花文陜川長興庫銘壺
15th century, Joseon
This is the jar containing the umbilica cord of Deogyanggun (1524~1581), the son of King Jungjong and the record thereof (“taejiseok”). In the Joseon royal court, when a prince or a princess was born, the umbilical cord was placed in a jar and it was buried along with a taejiseok, containing the records of the name of the baby an his/her birthdate. This practice was called “Antae” or “Jangtae,” and it is believed to have been performed as a way to wish for good health and well-being of the newborn as well as and the prosperity of the state.
Jar containing the umbilical cord of Prince Seungsu
Chilgok-myeon, Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do Province Joseon Dynasty, 1524
Records of the burial of the umbilical cord of Prince Seungsu
Chilgok-myeon, Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do ProvinceJoseon Dynasty, 1524
皇明嘉靖三年九月二十五日亥時生 王男崇壽阿只氏胎 嘉靖七年三月十三日子時藏