전남 서남해 도서지역의 유적 분포양상과 제주도 해로

Abstract

This paper examines the expansion of population groups alongside the formation and transformation of maritime routes, based on archaeological sites dating from the Neolithic Age to the Three Kingdoms Period in the Southwest Sea island region of Jeollanam-do. Most of the islands in the region are located in Wando-gun, while Geumsando and Geomundo Islands belong to Goheung-gun and Yeosu-si respectively. Shell middens from the Neolithic period are primarily found on islands in the open sea, and they are presumed to have served not only as fishing bases for population groups along the southern coast, but also as intermediary stops along the maritime routes to Jejudo Island. Bronze Age sites are found primarily on islands that are closer to the mainland. A total of 450 dolmens, organized into 42 clusters, have been reported on 9 islands. These dolmens are distributed along a central axis running north to south, from Gogeumdo Island, south of the Jangheung peninsula, to Cheongsando Island. The visibility of the dolmen clusters overlaps from the southern tip of the Jangheung peninsula to the northeastern part of Jejudo Island. Thus, the Jangheung peninsula is considered to be the origin of the dolmens in this region and those on Jejudo Island. Tombs from the Three Kingdoms Period are only found on Gogeumdo, Cheongsando, and Wando Islands. The visibility of the Dangri tomb on Cheongsando Island extends northwest toward Wando and the southeastern Haenam peninsula, opening southwest toward Chujado Island. Therefore, it is believed that the population in this region was associated with Yeosu during the Neolithic, with Jangheung during the Bronze Age, and with Haenam during the Three Kingdoms Period. As the mainland departure points for the Jejudo Island sea route shifted westward, the intermediate stops also changed, resulting in new maritime routes. Additionally, the routes became more direct, resulting in longer distances being navigated at once. Population groups in this region evolved alongside the ongoing changes in the Jeju sea route, and these fluctuations would also been reflected in the frequency of discovery of archaeological sites in this region.