Mokpo National University Museum Hosts Special Exhibition "Time of Shells and People, Buried in Shell Middens"

Special Exhibition Poster "Time of Shellfish and Humans, Buried in the Shell Midden" (Photo by Mokpo National University)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Mokpo National University (President Park Min-seo) Museum (Director Han Jeong-hoon) announced on the 21st that it will hold a special exhibition titled "Time of Shells and People, Buried in Shell Middens" from the 22nd to December 15th.

The exhibition opening event is scheduled to take place on the 22nd at 4 p.m. in the Museum's Exhibition Hall 1.

This exhibition is a joint traveling exhibition co-planned by Mokpo National University and Busan National University Museums as part of the "2020 University Museum Promotion Support Project" hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korean University Museum Association.

Shell middens (貝塚) are archaeological sites formed by the long-term accumulation of shells of shellfish and fish consumed and discarded by coastal inhabitants, animal bones, and various household waste.

In Korea, surrounded by the sea on three sides, about 600 shell midden sites have been identified, mainly distributed in the southwestern coastal and island areas, which provide favorable environments for shellfish habitats.

The existence of shell middens serves as evidence that people expanded their livelihood activities based on the abundant sea and actively utilized marine resources.

Shell middens, composed of numerous shells, are considered important materials for studying the lives and cultures of prehistoric and ancient people due to their unique environmental characteristics.

Calcium carbonate, the main component of shells, protects shellfish, animal and human bones vulnerable to acidic soil, and various invisible organic materials. The layers of shells preserve the history, culture, and natural environment of prehistoric and ancient people, which is why shell middens are often called "time capsules."

The exhibition features natural relics excavated from representative Korean Neolithic and Iron Age shell middens such as Suga-ri in Gimhae, Yeoseo-do in Wando, and Gun-gok-ri in Haenam, as well as Neuk-do in Sacheon.

The diverse natural relics provide an opportunity to glimpse the daily life and diet of people who relied on the sea, as well as their lifestyle, technology, and wisdom in utilizing marine resources.

Director Han Jeong-hoon said, "I hope this exhibition will widely raise awareness of the academic value of shell middens and provide a time to reflect on their significance."

Visitors can view the exhibition free of charge on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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