Dolmens in Hyosan-ri and Daesin-ri, Hwasun

Jiseongmyo, also known as dolmens (goindol), are prehistoric tombs made by propping a large, flat capstone on several supporting stones. A total of 596 table-style (southern-type) dolmens of the Bronze Age are distributed along the valleys on both sides of Boseongjae Pass, running from Mosan village in Hyosan-ri, Hwasun County, past Wolgokje Reservoir, to Daesin-ri in Chunyang-myeon. Investigation confirmed dolmens along with stone-chamber tombs, jar-coffin tombs, stone-lined tombs and pit tombs, and yielded a variety of relics, including stone tools, pottery, and bronze ornaments. On the surrounding rock faces there remain traces where capstones were quarried, showing how the dolmens were made. On the hillside at Daesin-ri stands a huge capstone 7 m long, 4 m high, and weighing about 200 tonnes — the largest known to date. The surrounding natural landscape is also well preserved, making this an important source of material for comparative research into ancient Korean culture and ways of life. Dolmens reveal the culture of prehistoric society and offer a glimpse into its social structure, political system, and the spiritual world of the people of the time; in recognition of this value for prehistoric research, the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.

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Where it is

Region

Hwasun, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Historic Site · 사적