금강/낙동강 상류 관방유적 조사‧연구 현황과 과제

Abstract

The Geumgang and Nakdong rivers are representative water streams of Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces, respectively. Tributary streams that which feed into rivers have long been used as transportation routes in the mountainous Korean peninsula. Rivers were crucial elements for the development of countries in ancient times. The headwaters of three major rivers—the Geumgang, Nakdong, and Han rivers—begin at the Jungwon (center) cultural area, which is the central location for rivers to converge through streams or to branch out. Since the Three Kingdoms period, transportation routes were being developed along tributary streams, and castles were built around them, forming the defense system of the country. The purpose of original investigations of the castles was to excavate and protect cultural sites. However, recently, the focus has been on registering such sites as nationally designated cultural properties and using them to promote tourism and secure state-funded budgets. This is also a basis for the restoration and maintenance of castles. The Gomosanseong fortress in Mungyeong and Sejong castle in Sejong are the key sites among the fortress ruins located in the upper basin of the Geumgang and Nakdong rivers. The Gomosanseong fortress has been excavated twice and was built by Silla in the late 5th century. The Sejong Iseong castle was recently excavated for the first time; it was confirmed that this castle was built by Baekje in the early 7th century. Although there are differences in the time period and country responsible for the construction of the castles, stone ramparts with inner and outer stone walls and water-catchment facilities to store water within the castles have been identified. Investigation of the gate of the Sejong castle that goes through the wall did not proceed, and that of the building site of the Gomosanseong fortress did not take place; therefore, the facilities could not be compared with each other, but they can be said to be the representatives of the country and time period corresponding to their construction. Although the castles are similar with regard to the involved construction technique and the state of construction, they differ significantly in time (by approximately 150 years), raising questions about the phased development of the castles. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the current status based on the research data of the previous investigation and propose the tasks necessary to understand the subsequent changes in the castles. The geographical condition of a castle is determined by the country it is defending. This information should be combined with that from a survey of the surrounding castles to obtain a clear picture of the defense system centered on the base fortress. With regard to wall construction materials, Silla was stone-built, whereas Baekje was earth-built; it is crucial to clearly distinguish between the initial construction and renovation stages. The water-catchment facilities or drinking-water reservoirs in the castles should be investigated; the process and timing of each level and stage should be carefully examined. The gate of the Sejong castle has been recognized to be constructed using a unique method of Silla, whereas the gates of the Baekryeong castle in Geumsan and Geumseong Iseong castle in Sejong confirmed the possibility that they were built and used by Baekje. The castle gates also need to be compared and studied for each step. The arrangement of facilities within the castles is important. A parallel investigation of the surrounding ancient tombs should also be undertaken. With regard to the fortress ruins located in the upper basin of the Geumgang and Nakdong rivers, they need to be systematically investigated and researched in the future by considering the aforementioned problems, which will be crucial for understanding the fortress ruins of the Jungwon (center) cultural area that were contested by the three countries.