Nowon-gu Rolls Up Sleeves to Register Bulamsanseong as National Historic Site

Promotion for National Cultural Heritage Historic Site Registration to Glimpse Construction Techniques of Teumoe-style Stone Fortresses from the Three Kingdoms Period... First Excavation in 2018, Fourth Detailed Survey to be Completed This Year, Preparing for Academic Conference Next Year... Resident Briefing Session Held on the 18th at Bulamsanseong Excavation Site to Build Community Consensus

Bulamsanseong Excavation Site

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is accelerating efforts to designate Bulamsanseong as a national cultural heritage site (Historic Site).

Bulamsanseong is a small-scale site where the stone wall construction techniques of the Korean Three Kingdoms period mountaintop fortress can be observed. However, despite its importance, archaeological investigations and related research have been insufficient. Additionally, since the site is located on the main hiking trail of Bulam Mountain, continuous damage is a concern.

The district has established a comprehensive plan and, after a trial excavation in 2017, has been conducting full-scale excavations since 2018. The investigations began in 2018 with the first excavation of the north wall and the presumed north gate site, followed by the second excavation in 2019 of the east wall and the wooden coffin pit at the summit, and the third excavation in 2020 of the south wall, the presumed southern ridge fortress, and the south gate site.

In 2021, the fourth excavation is underway, conducting detailed investigations of the internal facilities of the fortress and the northern hill area.

Next year, based on the excavation results, an academic conference will be held to establish the archaeological and historical significance of Bulamsanseong and to derive the justification for its registration as a national cultural heritage site (Historic Site). Furthermore, a National Historic Site Committee will be formed to promote restoration and maintenance projects aimed at preserving the fortress’s remaining original form as much as possible and minimizing damage by 2025.

Moreover, once the national historic site registration and restoration are completed, plans will be made to utilize the site as a security history park and ecological exploration park, creating a place that can be shared with citizens.

Focusing on these matters, the district held a residents’ briefing session on the 18th. The session aimed to inform residents about the annual excavation results, future plans for national cultural heritage (Historic Site) registration, and restoration and maintenance plans, thereby raising interest in local cultural heritage, building consensus on the necessity of heritage registration, and enhancing policy communication.

The briefing was held at the Bulamsanseong excavation site (Bulam Mountain heliport) in Junggye-dong, with participation from officials of Namyangju City, cultural heritage guardians, fortress-related researchers, and local residents.

Bulamsanseong, designated as Seoul Metropolitan City Monument No. 32 and Gyeonggi Province Monument No. 221, is located at San 101-1, Junggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, and adjacent to San 97 and San 104, Hwajeop-ri, Byeollae-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is presumed to have been built by Silla, which advanced into the Seoul area, to defend the Han River basin. The fortress wall circumference is approximately 236 meters, and the internal area is about 5,278 square meters.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “The registration of Bulamsanseong, a precious historical asset, as a cultural heritage site will further boost residents’ pride,” adding, “We will continue to actively implement various policies to protect and promote cultural heritage.”

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