Asian Paleolithic Scholars Gather in Suncheon

Asian Paleolithic Association (APA) International Conference

123 Scholars and Researchers from 13 Countries Participating from the 19th

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that it will jointly host the 11th Asian Paleolithic Association International Conference with the Korean Paleolithic Society, the Korean Quaternary Society, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, and Jeollanam-do from the 19th to the 21st.

The Asian Paleolithic Association International Conference is held every two years in four countries: Korea, Japan, China, and Russia, and this year it will be held in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Image provided by Suncheon City]

Under the theme "New Perspectives on Human Behavior and Migration in Asia," this conference will see the participation of 123 distinguished Paleolithic scholars and emerging researchers from 13 countries including Korea, Japan, China, Russia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, France, Spain, Poland, and Israel. They will share recent findings on Paleolithic sites and artifacts from their respective countries as well as new research achievements.

The opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on the 19th at the Suncheon Bay Ecological and Cultural Education Center auditorium. Keynote lectures will be delivered by Professor Bae Ki-dong, Professor Emeritus at Hanyang University and former Director of the National Museum of Korea; Professor Gao Xing from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Professor Hiroyuki Sato from the University of Tokyo, representing their respective countries.

The conference will be divided into five sessions over two days, the 19th and 20th. Notably, Session 1 will focus on "Utilization Plans for Paleolithic Sites in the Boseong River Basin, Jeollanam-do: Centered on the Wolpyeong Site."

This session will summarize research achievements on the Wolpyeong Site, a representative Paleolithic site owned by Suncheon City, and explore future utilization plans. It is expected to be a meaningful opportunity to share the value of this regional cultural heritage with local residents from the perspective of prominent domestic researchers.

On the 21st, researchers participating in the international conference will have the opportunity to personally experience Suncheon's rich history and beautiful scenery by visiting Paleolithic sites around Suncheon, including the Wolpyeong Site, as well as UNESCO World Heritage site Seonamsa Temple and Suncheon Bay National Garden.

A Suncheon City official stated, "We hope this conference will be a meaningful occasion that not only finds systematic preservation and management solutions for the Wolpyeong Site but also marks a milestone in research presenting new perspectives on human behavior and migration in Asia." The official added, "We hope that many domestic and international scholars will stroll around various parts of our hometown during their stay in Suncheon and leave with fond memories."

Reporter Heo Seon-sik, Honam Bureau, Asia Economy hss79@asiae.co.kr

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