Goryeo Shipwreck Celadon, Haenam Jinsan-ri Celadon Site Established

Excavation of Sanimyeon Celadon Kiln Site Reveals Large Quantity of Identical Celadon, Identifying Underwater Artifact Production Site

An on-site briefing session is being held for the excavation of the celadon kiln site in Jinsan-ri, Haenam. Photo by Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] On the 17th, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do held an on-site briefing session for the excavation survey of the celadon kiln site in Jinsan-ri, Sanim-myeon, designated as Historic Site No. 310.

According to the county on the 17th, the Jinsan-ri celadon kiln site is known as the largest celadon production base in Korea, with over 120 kiln sites densely located along a 6 km coastline stretching from Chosong-ri in Sanim-myeon to Jinsan-ri.

This area was once a low hill covered with abundant forests and, being adjacent to the sea, it is believed that an active maritime route was formed through Haenam Bay.

In 1983, over 30,000 celadon pieces excavated from the sea in front of Eoduri, Wando, were identified as products from this site, providing important clues about the production and distribution process of celadon.

To clarify the exact nature of the site, Haenam-gun has been conducting excavation surveys since August, confirming three kilns that mass-produced celadon and pottery, three waste disposal sites, and soil extraction sites (토취장, places where soil is collected for kiln or pottery production).

The kilns discovered include small-scale earthen kilns (土築窯, kilns made of clay) about 10 meters in size and medium-sized earthen kilns about 20 meters in size. The surrounding waste disposal sites have sediment layers over 1 meter thick. Various types of ceramics such as celadon, black porcelain, and pottery have been identified in the waste sites, indicating long-term ceramic production.

Notably, this excavation revealed high-quality celadon of the Gangjin Sadang-ri type and pottery similar to celadon stands excavated from the tomb of King Injong of Goryeo, which were previously unknown.

Additionally, a large quantity of celadon, black porcelain, and pottery similar to underwater artifacts recently attracting attention?such as those from the 11th-century Sipidongpado in Gunsan, 12th-century Eoduri in Wando, and 13th-century Mado No. 1 shipwreck in Taean?were excavated, providing decisive clues to identify the production sites of these underwater artifacts.

Haenam was the largest celadon production site during the Goryeo Dynasty, operating more kilns than Gangjin and Buan, with its modestly elegant green-glazed vessels being highly popular in Goryeo at the time.

From the 11th to the 13th century, spanning about 300 years, the celadon maintained its prominence and was distributed to various consumption areas via the southwestern sea routes.

Excavations conducted in 1992 and from 2017 to 2018 uncovered numerous kiln sites and artifacts, leading to the designation of kiln sites such as Haenam Jinsan-ri Celadon Kiln Site (National Historic Site No. 310) and Haenam Hwawon-myeon Celadon Kiln Site (Jeollanam-do Monument No. 220) as cultural heritage.

Moreover, the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage has conducted excavations and research for over 40 years since 1983, recovering more than 40,000 Haenam celadon pieces and three shipwrecks from the waters of Wando, Gunsan, Taean, Jindo, and Yeonggwang. In 2019, they held an exhibition showcasing about 2,500 Haenam celadon pieces recovered from the Gunsan Sipidongpado shipwreck and other salvaged vessels, marking the first public display after 15 years of underwater excavation.

Following the completion of excavation at the Hwawon-myeon celadon kiln site last year, the confirmation of results from the recent Jinsan-ri excavation is expected to accelerate the inscription of the "Korean Goryeo Celadon Kiln Sites" as a World Heritage Site, a project jointly promoted by Haenam-gun, Gangjin-gun, and Buan-gun.

Haenam, along with Gangjin and Buan, is home to representative celadon kiln sites from the Goryeo period. Recently, these regions have been conducting excavation surveys and academic conferences to establish a scholarly foundation for World Heritage inscription.

Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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