Bonghwang-dong Relics (Gimhae)

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Historic Site No. 2. This 7m high, 130m long and 30m wide hill was formed in the early Iron Age. A section revealing shell layer and white shells on the hill are visible because a village was formed near the south of the hill and houses were built underneath the northeast cliff. This place was first discovered in 1907. And through a full scale excavation in 1920 and several excavations after that, the characteristics and date of this site were identified. It is a very important prehistoric site. Most of the excavated relics were pieces of earthenware called Gimhae Earthenware. And, ironware such as axes and knives were discovered. From this, it can be estimated that ironware was already used as everyday tools at the time. In addition to ironware, bone tools such as bone arrowheads, needles, and awls were found. Gimhae Earthenware was hard pottery fired at a temperature higher than that for the previous plain pottery. Its unique feature is that it has stamped patterns such as lattice pattern and mat pattern. To make the pottery harder, it was hit with an engraved rod. It is also called Primitive Silla Earthenware because it became the base of Silla Earthenware. A Hwacheon, currency of Sin, a dynasty founded by Wang Mang, was found during the excavation in 1920 and the date of this site's upper limit was identified. Also, carbonized rice was found. It is a very important material for the research of Korean rice. During the excavation between 1934 and 1935, a group of stone coffins and jar coffins were discovered. In one of the jar coffins, slender bronze daggers and bronze items were found. In addition, a big stone looking like a lid of southern style dolmen still remains. Bonghwangdae, the largest historical site of Guemgwan Gaya, and shell mound in Hwayeon-ri were designated as "Gimhae Bonghwangdae Relics" on Feb. 5, 2001.