Paju Yukgyetoseong Earthen Fortification

This site is located in Juwol-ri, Jeokseong-myeon, Paju. It occupies a meander loop where the Imjingang River bends sharply and juts northward in its sinuous course. From here one can look out over Gayeoul ford and Duji ferry crossing, both major crossing points on the Imjingang River. Yukgyetoseong is a flatland earthen fortification built on the alluvial plain of the southern bank of the Imjingang River. Its perimeter measures 1,828 m, placing it among the larger fortifications of its type. In plan it forms an elongated oval with its long axis running northeast–southwest. The walls have not been excavated, so the exact method of construction is unknown, but since no finely rammed soil layers have been identified, the walls appear to have been built up by piling and compacting earth. Features presumed to belong to the walls include the east and south gate sites, the west gate site, watchtower sites at the north-east and south-east turning points, a well site, and a drainage outlet site. Artefacts gathered within the fortress span every period from the Palaeolithic through comb-pattern pottery and plain pottery sherds to the Three Kingdoms period and on to the Joseon dynasty, attesting to the long history of this area. An emergency excavation in 1996 identified numerous Baekje pit-dwellings within the fortress. A Goguryeo vessel fitted with four handles was excavated from inside one dwelling together with large quantities of Baekje pottery, drawing particular attention. Yukgyetoseong is a highly important site, revealing the territory and defence system of Baekje during the Hanseong period and standing as a rare example of a Baekje flatland earthen fortification.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Paju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물