Abandoned Temple Sites Nationwide to Be Identified with Ground-Penetrating Radar

Work Agreement Between the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute

Kimcheon Galhangsa Site GPR Survey Pilot Investigation Scene

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute will sign a work agreement on December 3 at the Jeonbeop Hall of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a joint academic investigation of major abandoned temple sites across the country.

Abandoned temple sites are important cultural heritage for understanding Buddhist culture, but many of them have been neglected or are under threat from development.

In response, the two institutions will jointly conduct subsurface geophysical surveys of major abandoned temple sites nationwide and will jointly publish survey reports and publications. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will establish three-dimensional spatial information of underground relics through GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) surveys, and the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute will use this data to develop preservation and management plans. GPR surveys involve emitting radar waves underground and analyzing the reflected signals to identify subsurface structures.

An official from the institute stated, "We plan to share related data and achievements and also hold joint academic events."