Goheung Buncheong Culture Museum, "Celadon Kiln No. 1" Excavation Site Open to Public

The Secret of Goheung Celadon, Revealing Its True Nature

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] The Buncheong Culture Museum in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Song Gwi-geun) announced on the 24th that it held an open field briefing session on the academic excavation survey currently underway to secure academic data on Celadon Kiln Site No. 1 located in Undae-ri, Duwon-myeon on the 23rd.

The academic excavation survey of Celadon Kiln Site No. 1 is a joint investigation activity conducted by Goheung-gun and the Ancient Cultural Heritage Research Institute Foundation to secure basic data for clearly understanding the nature of Celadon Kiln Site No. 1 and to establish a rational management plan for the site.

This open field briefing session disclosed the interim results of the academic excavation survey conducted so far to the general public, with advisory committee members and local residents attending together.

The excavation target, Celadon Kiln Site No. 1 in Undae-ri, is designated as Jeollanam-do Monument No. 80 and is known to hold very significant meaning in the study of early celadon on the southwestern coast through previous research and investigations. This academic excavation survey allowed for a full confirmation of its actual nature.

Through this excavation survey, it is evaluated that important clues were revealed to clarify the characteristics of early celadon kilns in the Goheung area by examining the construction period, construction method, materials, and excavated artifacts of the celadon kiln.

In particular, early celadon origin artifacts such as Seonhaemuriguripwan (a type of early celadon bowl) were excavated, enabling comparative review with artifacts unearthed from early celadon sites in the central-western region such as Bangsan-dong in Siheung, Seori in Yongin, and southwestern coastal areas including Yongun-ri in Gangjin, Jinsan-ri in Haenam, and Sindeok-ri.

Additionally, through the artifacts and kiln structure, the transition process from pottery to celadon production was revealed, and it was found that the celadon production system was shared mainly along the southwestern coast.

Considering the kiln structure and excavated artifacts comprehensively, Celadon Kiln Site No. 1 is a tochukyo (土築窯: earthen kiln) mainly seen in the southwestern coastal region, showing similarities to the kiln structure of the Punggill-ri site in Jangheung. It is estimated to have been constructed and used in the late 10th century, but it is expected that this will be clarified more precisely through future natural science analysis results.

According to a county official, “Based on the excavation results, we plan to actively promote continuous excavation surveys of celadon kiln sites located around Undae-ri to identify the origin, diffusion process, and production methods of Goheung celadon. Furthermore, based on these achievements, various exhibitions and other activities are planned to historically and academically promote the ceramic culture of the Goheung region.”

Meanwhile, the open field briefing session for this excavation survey will be released to the public nationwide via the Buncheong Culture Museum’s YouTube channel in December, revealing the secrets and achievements of Goheung celadon.

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo sevenshim@asiae.co.kr

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