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¡ã The Gosan-ri, Jeju, site where neolithic settlement remains were found. Photo courtesy Jeju Special Self-Governing Province |
Excavations at Gosan-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, confirm Jeju contains the best neolithic sites in the country, say experts.
Officials from Jeju National Museum, Mokpo National University and the Cultural Properties Committee of the Cultural Heritage Administration announced last month that relics and settlements had been found dating back 10,000 years.
A total of four houses were found, identified by 67 holes, three traces of burnt soil and two long ditches. A stone arrowhead, stoneware and pottery were also unearthed.
The neolithic pottery found confirms that the area was settled earlier than previously thought.
The Cultural Properties Committee welcomed the finds and urged further excavations to be carried out during the year.
Shin Jong-hwan of the Korean Neolithic Society said, “A variety of pottery including Gosan-ri styles were found and the items were dated further back than previously, increasing the time people have lived here by 2,000 years.”
Experts expressed some concern, however, due to the fact that the two teams carrying out the research followed different methods in their excavations. The Cultural Heritage Administration team dug in trenches while a team of archaeologists dug in a grid.
Experts stressed that future digs should follow the grid approach to ensure the nationally important site is comprehensively documented.
The next digs are expected in the first half of 2015. |