Hansung Baekje Museum and National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Laboratory Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Research Exchange

Interdisciplinary Research Advances Breakthrough Findings on Baekje Royal Funeral Culture and Chil Craft
Systematic Convergent Research on Baekje Hanseong Period Capital Relics by Two Institutions Expected to Accelerate

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 15th, the Hanseong Baekje Museum Baekje Studies Research Institute announced that on the 14th, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Conservation Science Research Division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage to promote interdisciplinary joint research and research exchange on Baekje Hanseong period royal capital relics.

The Baekje Studies Research Institute is a research organization established under the Hanseong Baekje Museum to systematically investigate and study the ancient history of Seoul, including relics from the Baekje Hanseong period. Since 2013, it has been responsible for excavation and investigation of the royal fortress and royal tomb district of the Baekje Hanseong period, focusing on Mongchon Fortress and the Seokchon-dong tumulus cluster.

The Conservation Science Research Division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage is a specialized research institution equipped with outstanding personnel and advanced equipment, serving as the headquarters of cultural heritage conservation science with over 50 years of accumulated analytical data. In particular, the Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center, which opened last year, has established analytical systems for various materials such as human bones, stone, pottery, paper, textiles, and wood.

The museum has been conducting interdisciplinary research in collaboration with various specialized institutions to maximize the information contained in relics and artifacts. Notably, since 2018, it has conducted seven joint research projects with the Conservation Science Research Division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, reflecting the results in five excavation investigation reports. Representative examples include the analysis of cremated human bones, roof tiles, black slip earthenware, lacquerware from the Seokchon-dong tumulus cluster, and pottery from Mongchon Fortress.

A large number of human bone fragments were excavated from the Seokchon-dong tumulus cluster, and compositional analysis confirmed that they were cremated at a high temperature exceeding 700℃. This is the first case in Korea where the cremation status and temperature of human bones were revealed through analytical science. Above all, by cross-verifying the analysis results from researchers in osteology (Seoul National University) and forensic science (Catholic University), it opened a new phase in the study of ancient human bones and has been recognized as an excellent example of collaborative research.

The analysis of artifacts excavated alongside the cremated bones is also noteworthy. Among over 500 roof tiles, some were severely warped, which was found to be caused by exposure to high heat of approximately 1200℃. From burnt lumps of clay, it was discovered that ornaments such as gold earrings had melted and adhered. This secured important information that can reconstruct the specific conditions during cremation.

Significant results were also achieved in the analysis of lacquer components. From poorly preserved artifact fragments, red pigment and lacquer were identified, confirming them as parts of lacquerware. Additionally, lacquer was analyzed for the first time on the surface of black slip earthenware, a ‘masterpiece’ of the Baekje Hanseong period. Previously thought to be imitations of lacquerware due to their black gloss, their true nature and secrets were revealed.

It was also confirmed through analysis that lacquer was contained inside pottery plates and lids excavated from Mongchon Fortress. This is the first concrete case showing the lacquer storage method of the Baekje Hanseong period, increasing the possibility of discovering lacquerware production workshops in the royal fortress of Mongchon Fortress. These achievements are expected to provide new momentum for research on Baekje lacquer craft.

With the MOU between the two institutions, interdisciplinary convergence research on Baekje Hanseong period royal capital relics is expected to be conducted more systematically in the future. Through sharing the processes of artifact recovery, conservation treatment, analysis, and research at excavation sites, work efficiency is also expected to improve significantly. Cross-analysis of samples and additional research will enable supplementation and verification of existing research results, thereby enhancing academic reliability.

Director Yoo Byung-ha said, “Excavation of buried cultural heritage falls within the field of archaeology, but securing the information contained in cultural heritage requires expertise from various fields. Going forward, we will deepen research on the history and culture of the Baekje Hanseong period through cooperation with specialized institutions across different sectors.”

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