Professor Sarah Nelson of University of Denver, Who Introduced Amsa-dong Site to the World, Remembered

Amsa-dong Site and Sarah Nelson, Honorary Professor at University of Denver Who Introduced Korean Neolithic Sites Including Comb-patterned Pottery to the World, Passed Away on the 27th of Last Month Due to Illness... Seoul City Councilor Hwang In-gu Expresses Deep Condolences and Emphasizes the Need to Further Devote Efforts to Projects Like the Amsa Green Path to Progress Her Legacy

Memorial banner posted at the 'Seoul Amsa-dong Site' in Gangdong-gu at the request of Seoul City Councilor Hwang In-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Hwang In-gu, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Education Committee (Gangdong 4, Democratic Party), expressed deep condolences upon hearing the news that Professor Emerita Sarah Nelson of the University of Denver, USA, who introduced the Amsa-dong archaeological site and comb-pattern pottery to the world, passed away from an illness on the 27th of last month.

He also announced that, at Vice Chairman Hwang's suggestion, the Gangdong District Office posted a memorial banner at the Amsa-dong archaeological site to commemorate Sarah Nelson's passing, reflecting the hearts of the residents of Gangdong.

Sarah Milledge Nelson (1931?2020), Professor Emerita at the University of Denver, USA, was an archaeologist who published the study "Research on Neolithic Comb-pattern Pottery in the Han River Basin" in 1973, bringing global attention to the value of Korea's prehistoric sites such as the Amsa-dong site and comb-pattern pottery.

She later registered the Osan-ri site in Gangwon Province as a headword in the World Archaeological Encyclopedia and published the novel "Spirit Bird Journey" in 1999, based on the Osan-ri site, making significant lifelong contributions to the development of Korean archaeology.

Vice Chairman Hwang In-gu stated, “To carry on her will to spread the value of our prehistoric sites worldwide, the entire local community, including Gangdong-gu and Seoul City, must put more effort into the ongoing projects such as the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Amsa-dong site and the creation of the Amsa Green Path,” and declared his intention to actively support future related projects.

Currently, Gangdong-gu is jointly promoting the "UNESCO World Heritage listing" of the Amsa-dong site with Seoul City and is making various efforts to expand participation and empathy at the civic level.

Additionally, to restore the historical and natural aspects of the prehistoric site, the "Amsa Green Path Project," which connects the Amsa-dong site and the Han River, severed by the Olympic Expressway, is underway.

In June 2019, Vice Chairman Hwang urged the prompt promotion of the Amsa Green Path through a municipal inquiry, successfully advocating for the original plan that included the undergrounding of the Olympic Expressway and the creation of an upper park. He also proposed to Mayor Park Won-soon the securing of the budget for the long-stalled Amsa Green Path project, resulting in the project's resumption this year.

Honorary Professor Sera Nelson introduced the Amsa-dong site in Seoul to the world through her doctoral dissertation, "A Study on Comb-patterned Pottery of the Neolithic Age in the Han River Basin." The photo shows the Amsa-dong site in Seoul. (Source: Amsa-dong Site Website)

Along with his condolences, Vice Chairman Hwang emphasized that the entire local community must strive to progressively inherit Professor Emerita Sarah Nelson's efforts, stating, “Considering the characteristics of the Amsa-dong site as the first case of inland migration along the river, connecting the Amsa-dong site and the Han River is very important,” and added, “We will complete the Amsa Green Path project so that Seoul citizens can learn about Neolithic culture and enjoy the Han River, thereby enhancing the value of the prehistoric site, a representative cultural heritage of Gangdong-gu.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.