Mission
The fields of early Korean history and archaeology are active and
pertinent components of academic programs in Korea, where it is
recognized that an understanding and appreciation of the early
historical and pre-historical periods are necessary for a proper grasp
of Korea in the modern age. While this obvious fact finds ready
acknowledgement in English-language scholarship on Korea, the early
periods of Korea's history (here defined as prior to the tenth century)
are sorely underrepresented in Korean Studies in the Anglophone world.
To help offset this deficiency, the Early Korea Project was established
at the Korea Institute, Harvard University, under the direction of Dr.
Mark Byington. The Project was officially launched on November 1, 2006,
with support from the Academy of Korean Studies and the Korea
Foundation, and is based at the Center for Government and International
Studies at Harvard University.
The mission of the Early Korea Project is to promote and direct the
development of academic studies of early Korean history and archaeology
in the English language, primarily through lectures, workshops and
publications. The Project relies on active relationships with scholars
in Korea and the engagement of scholars elsewhere whose research
involves early Korea.
