Academic Conference Held on the Value and Utilization of the Chilpori Petroglyphs in Pohang City as a National Heritage

Korean-Style Petroglyphs: Discussion on the Original Value and Utilization of Geompa-Type Petroglyphs

Efforts to Upgrade from Provincial Cultural Heritage (1990) to National Cultural Heritage

On the 5th, Pohang City held an academic conference at the Baetmeori Lifelong Education Center to discuss the value of upgrading the ‘Chilpori Petroglyphs Group,’ which is a cultural heritage designated by Gyeongbuk Province, to a nationally designated cultural heritage site, as well as ways to utilize it.

A group of Bronze Age petroglyphs located in Chilpo-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk.
[Image source=Pohang City]

This event, organized by the Yeongnam Institute of Cultural Properties, featured presentations and discussions by renowned domestic cultural heritage experts. Topics included the current status of ongoing investigations and research on the Chilpori Petroglyphs, the cultural heritage value of the Chilpori Petroglyphs from a world history perspective (Kang Bongwon, Shingyeongju University), and preservation, maintenance, and utilization plans for the Chilpori Petroglyphs (Jung Intae, National Gyeongju Institute of Cultural Heritage).

The Chilpori Petroglyphs, a Bronze Age site located in Chilpori, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang City, constitute the largest group of petroglyphs in Korea, spanning a radius of 8 km.

It is well known as the birthplace of the so-called ‘Korean-style petroglyphs’ in the form of stone dagger handles, and the motifs of the petroglyphs are diverse, including cup marks, stone dagger shapes, Yut game boards, axe shapes, and mask shapes.

In particular, it is noteworthy that the dagger-shaped petroglyphs that appeared in Chilpori spread to southern regions such as Yeongcheon, Gyeongju, Goryeong, and Namwon.

The Chilpori Petroglyphs were designated as a provincial cultural heritage (tangible cultural heritage) in 1990. Pohang City is currently compiling a data report to request the designation of the Chilpori Petroglyphs Group as a nationally designated cultural heritage site.

Lee Dongha, Head of the Culture and Arts Division, stated, “We are striving to elevate the Chilpori Petroglyphs to the status of a nationally designated cultural heritage site,” and added, “We will systematically maintain and manage Pohang’s cultural heritage by establishing a comprehensive maintenance plan, so that it can be safely preserved and become a representative cultural tourism destination that citizens will want to visit at any time.”

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