Gimhae Gusan-dong Dolmen Confirmed as Bronze Age Burial Site

Dolmen in Gusan-dong, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Gimhae-si]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gimhae City in Gyeongnam announced on the 30th that the Gusan-dong dolmen (Gyeongsangnam-do Monument No. 280) has been definitively confirmed as a Bronze Age burial site.

The dolmen, commonly known as a goindol, is a representative tomb type of the Bronze Age. Until now, there had been differing opinions within and outside the academic community on whether the Gusan-dong site was a Bronze Age burial ground or an altar for rituals.

Through a detailed excavation survey, the city confirmed the presence of a wooden coffin tomb and artifacts beneath the dolmen, verifying it as a burial site with a cemetery.

The excavated artifacts include two pieces of pottery: a double-shaped pottery resembling a bean and a jar-shaped pottery. The investigation estimated the site to be a Bronze Age burial ground dating back to the 1st century BCE.

A Gimhae City official explained, "There was no disagreement among the six academic advisory committee members, including professors and experts, who also viewed it as a 'burial site.'"

The dolmen in Gusan-dong was discovered during land development construction in 2007. It measures 10 meters in length, 4.5 meters in width, 3.5 meters in height, and weighs 350 tons.

The Gusan-dong dolmen maintenance project began in December last year and was completed this month after trial and excavation surveys.

Mayor Heo Seong-gon stated, "This is an important archaeological achievement connected to the emergence of Gaya 2,000 years ago," adding, "We will establish a restoration and maintenance plan based on expert advice."

The city plans to pursue national historic site designation for the dolmen in cooperation with the academic community and intends to create a citizen history park next year.

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