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| ▲This photo provided by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage shows, a overall site of Jiseok tom in Gusan-dong, Gimhae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo provided by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage shows, damaged par of the dolmen excavation site. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo provided by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage shows, damaged par of the dolmen excavation site. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Seoul August 20 (Yonhap) -- Recent investigation has reviled that the government of South Gyeongsang Province’s maintenance project lead the significant amount of dolmen to be damaged. In order to assess how severe the damage, excavation examination is in need.
According to the academia on August 19, subsidiary of Cultural Heritage Administartion, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage’s documentation published on August 11, after investigating the dolmens in Gusan-dong, Gimhae-si in South Gyeongsnag province stated “Signs of characteristic change has been spotted throughout the surrounding area of dolmen.”
Characteristic changes in soil can be done in some ways, “Cutting the Ground” also known as (切土) is when they change the trait in order to flatten the surface, there is also “mounding”which is done to shift the figure of the ground by piling the soil.
It is safe to assume that throughout the maintenance process of Jiseok tomb, most of the parts of the area has been tampered with.
According to the investigation result, as little as 20cm up to as severe as the foundation of the tomb which demonstrates unique cultural aspects and most of the occupation layer has been damaged due to the excavation process.
“Cover stone (上石) which is placed on top of the dolmen had remaining of occupation layers up until 20m down south, however the occupation layer was lost due to installment of pipelines and bordering walls.” announced the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.
Grounds near eastern wall shows numerous construction equipment laying everywhere and judging by the photo provided, workers have dug up numerous centimeters down the ground.
“The bottom part of the occupation layer and sight of Jiseok tomb has been tampered with in order to install the pipeline.” adding “Excluding the Cover stone, most of the boundaries of dolmen has shown a sign of alternation of land.” announced the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.
Occupation layer located on the southern part of the dolmen is showing 30cm difference but more investigation is in need to fully assess the damage.
“In order to evaluate the exact ratio of alternation in the area and to find out about how much occupation layer remains, thorough investigation of surrounding area of dolmen is is needed.” described the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.
Officials of Cultural Heritage Administration and Gimhae city government will meet up with in order to discuss about the current situation of the dolmens.
“On top of finding out about what really happened, finding a way to repair the damage is in need. Hence we are going to meet up with the officials of Gimhae and South Gyeongsang province to come up with the suitable plane.” announced the official from the Cultural Heritage Administration.
Moreover, Cultural Heritage Administration has charged the mayor of Gimhae city for violating the Act of Protection and Investigation of Buried Cultural Heritage. Police is expected to go over the accusation and start investigating city officials related to excavation and investigation project.
Jiseok tomb in Gusan-dong was discovered in 2006 during construction project of residential district. The cover stone weighs over 350 metric ton, and the remains are spread throughout 1.6thousand ㎡ in site. The academia is considering Jiseok tomb to be the biggest dolmen yet to be found.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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