Hapcheon-gun, Seongsan Toseong 'National Historic Site' Designation Final Investigation

Hapcheon Seongsan Fortress Stone Wall Panorama (Photo by Hapcheon-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 13th that it is conducting trial and detailed excavation investigations on the presumed east gate site of Seongsan earthen fortress with permission from the Cultural Heritage Administration.

Since 2009, Hapcheon-gun has held six academic excavation investigations and two academic conferences up to this excavation. Reflecting the opinions from the on-site inspection by the Cultural Heritage Administration held in November last year for the promotion of Hapcheon Seongsan earthen fortress to a historic site, this investigation plans to specifically clarify the structure and construction period of the stone fortress (Seokseong) and earthen fortress (Toseong).

It was known that Hapcheon Seongsan earthen fortress consisted of a stone fortress on the south side and earthen fortress on the east and north sides, but through this academic investigation, it was confirmed that the eastern fortress wall was also constructed as a stone fortress.

The stone fortress is approximately 6 meters wide and currently about 3.5 meters high. In terms of stone processing methods, construction processes, and construction period, it is understood to have a unique structure of the Gaya fortress, clearly distinguished from the Silla stone fortress. Based on the excavated artifacts, the stone fortress appears to have been constructed from the mid-5th century to the early 6th century.

A county official stated, "Based on the results of previous investigations and research as well as this academic investigation, we plan to reexamine the value of Seongsan earthen fortress and accumulate academic materials so that it can be promoted to a national historic site as soon as possible, along with holding an expert forum in the future."

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