남해 대국산성 성격

Abstract

In this study I attempted to find out the construction period and nature of Daeguk Sanseong(mountain fortresse) through research on its shape, location, height above sea level, dimension, construction method of rampart and auxiliary facilities, and through review of data on building method of rampart and lotus pond as well as relics inside the fortress which were already confirmed by excavation research. As a result of my study I confirmed it highly probable that Daeguk Sanseong was constructed in early 7th century A.D. I also confirmed that a number of mountain fortress such as Daeguk Sanseong, Seongsan Toseong(mud fortress), Imjin Seong(fortress), Seonggogae Seong, Bijadang Sanseong had been built in Namhae island during 3-Kingdom era and Unified Silla dynasty. Each of the above mentioned mountain fortress is located surrounding Namhae county, which leads us to surmise that fortress building in Namhae island at that time might have aimed to monitor and control the sea routes (either to inland sea or open sea). In addition I could confirm that Daeguk Sanseong was a stronghold in Namhae island, serving focal point both militarily and administratively, which can be derived from the facts that it is the largest one among the mentioned mountain fortresss, and that it is located at a place most convenient to supervise inland sea, and that it is built nearest to inland from Namhae island. In view of the above, it is assumed that Daeguk Sanseong had been built in the first half of the 7th century A.D. and before Jeonyasan-gun (former administrative district of Namhae) was established, and that Daeguk Sanseong functioned as a ruling place cum advance base of war against Baekjae kingdom. It is highly probable that after Jeonyasan-gun was established in King Sinmun era, the fortress continued to function as the ruling place. Seongsan Toseong(mud fortress) located at southern part of Daeguk Sanseong is a notable candidate as the ruling place substituting Daeguk Sanseong. Seongsan Toseong was built of earth wall with podium, which is similar method of fortress building as Seonjinri Seong in Sacheon county. The Toseong is located at the peak of low hill near small seaside, but its location is not good to command bird's-eye view of surrounding area, therefore the Toseong might have been built only for administrative ruling purpose, rather than for military function. Accordingly, Daeguk Sanseong seems to have lost it function as the ruling place when Seongsan Toseong was built. The function of Daeguk Sanseong was transformed into a rear fortress of Seongsan Tosung, in my opinion.