Excavation of an 8000-year-old Neolithic Burial Site
Skeletons of 26 individuals excavated mear the shore of Kadŏk Island, Pusan
A number of Incipient or Early Chŭlmun Period (ca. 6000-5000 BC, sometimes referred to as Neolithic) burials were excavated at Changhang village located on the northwestern coast of Kadŏk Island, Pusan. Twenty-six human skeletons were identified, which represent not only the oldest skeletal material yet found but also the largest scale burial site among Chŭlmun collective burials excavated thus far in Korea.
The Korean Archaeology and Art History Research Institute (Director: Chŏng Ŭi-do) stated that 26 human skeletons were excavated at the site, estimated to have been built in the Incipient or Early Chŭlmun Period (ca. 6000-5000 B.C.) as a result of excavation work on a dredging field at Sŏngbuk-dong, Kangsŏ-gu, in Pusan. Previously, the 15 human skeletons excavated in the shell midden site at Yŏndae-do in T’ongyŏng, South Kyŏngsang Province, represented the largest known number of Chŭlmun individuals.
The body in the burial had been cremated. This is the first verified case that cremation was conducted along with interment in stone-lined burials of the Bronze Age. This discovery is considered as valuable evidence to show the new cremation customs of this period.
The site is composed of the burial precinct, featuring the burials of the 26 individuals divided into three large groups, 72 piles of stones in rounded mounds that may represent cooking facilities, as well as pit features. Concerning the method of burial, three individuals were interred in extended position (伸辰葬) while seven others were in flexed position with bound limbs. Heads were oriented to the north or northeast. A large number of pottery vessels were excavated along with two jade ornaments, 200 pieces of obsidian, one shark tooth, and one whale rib measuring 70 cm in length.
Director Chŏng said that judging from the raised (隆起文) or impressed (押引文) decorative elements on the pottery, these burials were likely constructed in the Incipient or Early Chŭlmun. He also added that a detailed analysis of the skeletal remains may provide groundbreaking clues concerning burial rites and social life of the Northeast Asian Neolithic, as certain characteristics, such as the method of burial, suggest some connection with the Jomon culture of Japan.
Original news story (Kyunghyang Shinmun) reported by Lee Youngkyong (samemind@kyunghyang.com)
17 February 2011.
A newspaper article (in Korean) is here.