Guwan-dong Celadon Kiln Site

The Guwan-dong celadon kiln site lies on the western hillside of Eocheonggol village, about 3.5km along the road leading from the entrance to Yuhoedang in Musu-dong, behind Bomunsan Mountain. Excavation at this site confirmed two celadon kilns and one roof-tile kiln. Of these, most of the structure of Celadon Kiln No. 1 was exposed, including the firebox, firing chamber and flue, making it possible to grasp its overall layout. The confirmed kiln was 17.5m long in total, with an internal width of 110–120cm and a floor gradient of 22–25°, showing that it was built on a relatively steep slope. In particular, the flue was finished at the end of the firing chamber with river stones, a structure not previously confirmed in any excavation of a celadon kiln site. Half of the remains of Kiln No. 2 extend beneath a house, making full excavation impossible, but it is presumed to have been of a similar size to Kiln No. 1. The artefacts recovered from the two kilns were almost identical, suggesting that they operated during the same period. A wide range of vessel types was produced, with bowls, dishes and cups accounting for the largest share, alongside wan bowls, flat pear-shaped bottles, maebyeong (plum-shaped bottles), lids, oil bottles, jars, large basins, ewers and jeongbyeong (kundika-type bottles). The most notable feature of the celadon produced here is that many pieces were made using the technique of pressing a mould to create raised decoration. Many pieces bear no ornament, but where incised decoration occurs it takes the form of lotus-petal, swastika, lotus-leaf, parrot and phoenix designs, while the pressed raised-relief decoration shows flower-and-plant and leaf motifs; a single sherd of celadon with black-inlaid thunder-pattern decoration was also found. Compared with celadon of known date recovered from underwater excavations around Mado, Taean, the wares show a similar style, suggesting they were made between the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. The Guwan-dong celadon kilns were a production facility operated in the mid-Goryeo period to meet local demand for ceramics in the Daejeon area; they are significant as the first kilns discovered in the Daejeon region and as a site whose precise structure can be understood.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jung-gu, Daejeon

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물