Fire Beacon Facility from the Three Kingdoms Period Confirmed in Jangsu Chimgok-ri

Artifacts excavated through trial excavation in the area of San 20, Chimgok-ri, Gyenam-myeon, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk (elevation 617m). Photo by Jangsu-gun

According to Jangsu-gun on the 7th, a beacon fire network from the Three Kingdoms period was confirmed through a trial excavation in the area of San 20, Chimgok-ri, Gyenam-myeon, Jangsu (at an altitude of 617m).

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Go Dal-young] Important materials confirming the beacon fire network from the Three Kingdoms period were identified through a trial excavation around San 20, Chimgok-ri, Gyenam-myeon, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk (at an altitude of 617m).

According to Jangsu-gun on the 7th, the Joseon Cultural Heritage Research Institute (Director Lee Taek-gu), authorized by the Cultural Heritage Administration (Administrator Jeong Jae-sook), has been conducting a trial excavation since last year to determine the exact location, range, and characteristics of the ‘Jangsu Chimgok-ri Beacon Fire’ presumed to be around San 20, Chimgok-ri.

The trial excavation confirmed one beacon fire facility, one water collection facility, and stone retaining structures surrounding the summit at the mountain peak located north of Chimnyeongje, which forms the boundary between Cheoncheon-myeon Chunsong-ri and Gyenam-myeon Chimgok-ri, at an altitude of 617m.

The mountain summit is shaped like the Chinese character for ‘person (人)’, seemingly divided into three branches. The beacon fire facility was found at the junction where the three paths meet, and the water collection facility was identified at the northwestern fork.

The beacon fire facility was confirmed at the highest point of the mountain. After partially smoothing the summit bedrock, access facilities were created by carving the bedrock on the southeast, northwest, and south sides, and a fire ignition facility was made by excavating the central bedrock, as revealed by this investigation.

Traces of fire were found on the surrounding bedrock of the ignition facility in various places, and some burnt soil (so-to) was also identified in the soil layers.

The water collection facility refers to a type of water storage pit created to secure drinking and domestic water in places where water does not naturally emerge. This facility was found on the flat area northwest of the beacon fire facility during the investigation.

It has a square (or rectangular) shape, with stone rows visible on the southeast and northwest walls on the surface. Soil layer investigation through exploratory trenches showed that 160 cm below the surface, dark gray silty soil was evenly laid, suggesting that clay was used to construct the floor and walls of the water collection pit.

The stone retaining walls were built along the ridge of the summit. Currently, only parts remain, with most lost, making it difficult to determine the exact form.

The well-preserved stone retaining walls were found on the southern slope of the summit. Using the slope, the walls were built from the bottom up, stacked in a stepped manner at the top. The interior was filled with rubble, and 7 to 8 tiers were confirmed at the upper part.

Artifacts identified during the trial excavation include numerous relics such as pieces of steamer pots, inkstones, soft earthenware shards, and hard earthenware shards, dating from the Gaya period to the late Unified Silla period.

Based on the confirmed remains and artifacts, it is presumed that the beacon fire site was first operated by the Gaya forces and continued until the late Unified Silla period before being abandoned.

Jang Young-su, the county governor, stated, “Through the achievements of this trial excavation of the Jangsu Chimgok-ri beacon fire, we have taken a step closer to finding Banpa, the old name of Jangsu Gaya,” and added, “We will actively strive for preservation and utilization, including pursuing cultural heritage designation through further research.”

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