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| ▲This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, shows relics excavated from sea around Gogunsan County. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, shows celdons. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, shows Koryo Celadons. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, shows whetstones. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, shows relics underwater. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- A number of stone relics believed to be whetstones have been found in the sea around Gogunsan County in North Jeolla Province.
The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea announced on Saterday that it has additionally excavated a total of 356 artifacts, including Goryeo celadon pieces, white porcelains, and whetstones, in the waters of Gogunsan Islands, located in Okdo-myeon beginning this April.
The waters of Gogunsan Islands consist of 16 manned islands, including Seonyudo Island and Munyeodo Islets, and 47 uninhabited islets.
According to the Map of Gogunsan Islands, which is believed to have been written in 1872, the place was used as a port of call for international trade ports and a base for coastal routes on the west coast, and was also used as a place for ships to wait or escape the wind.
In fact, during an underwater excavation last year, 214 relics such as 81 Goryeo celadon pieces, which were found in overlapping positions, white porcelain, Buncheong ware, and anchor stones were found.
Believing that there is a high possibility that an old ship was wrecked near the investigation place, the research institute began a full-blown investigation this year.
An official from the lab said, "Through the investigation, relics from various time lines were excavated, indicating that the area has been a hub for maritime exchanges for a long time."
According to the lab, the most common artifact found was pottery.
There were many Goryeo celadon pieces, which are believed to have been made in the 12th and 14th centuries, and among them, daily containers such as bowls and plates were mainly found. Inlaid celadon porcelains with a pattern of clouds and phoenixes, were also unearthed.
A number of Buncheong ware, white porcelain, and relics believed to have been used as pottery for storage on board were also found, and the research institute believes that they were made from kilns in Jeolla Province such as Gangjin and Buan.
In addition, some ceramics that appear to have been made after the Song Dynasty of China were unearthed, which can predict the international exchanges with China in the past
Above all, the institute is paying attention to the fact the 100 stone relics estimated to be whetstones were unearthed at once.
In the past, about one to two pieces of stones, which are believed to be whetstones, have been discovered from an old ship or 15 stones tied up with a rope was unearthed when Taean's "Mado Shipwreck No. 4" was excavated in 2015, but this is the first time that whetstones have been found in a bunch.
The institute estimates that the relics were one of the a tributes for the central government.
According to a geography book from Joseon, ShinjeungDonggukyeojiseungram, a Korean geography book compiled during the Joseon Dynasty, a record that "a whetstone, Naju's supply, was dedicated to the royal court" can be found.
Noh Kyung-jeong, an academic researcher from the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, said, "In the old literature, there are records that whetstones served as tributes throughout the country. It seems that it was not only used to trim the knife, but also to shape the surface of the mirror or frind the rigid parts of the ritual tableware such as brass bowls."
Noh said, "100 relics found at one point is a unique case," adding, "In theory, at the time of transportation, it was packed but after the ship sank, only stone relics remain as the way they are now."
The total number of artifacts excavated last year and this year amounts to 570.
Through further investigation and research in the future, the institute will disclose where the ship carrying the relics departed and headed, and the purpose of shipping such artifacts.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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