4~5세기 신라·가야 갑주의 생산 체계

Abstract

Metal artifacts in the ancient period were made using various techniques. As such, they provide important insights about the technology of the period. Among the metal products dating back to the period, armors are particularly valuable as their production required the most advanced technology and complex manufacturing process available at the time. Thus, armors provide some key aspects of the ancient society such as its production system. At various Silla and Gaya sites dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries, archaeologists discovered a multitude of artifacts connected with armors that reflect a high level of production capability and techniques. Unfortunately, however, no armor production site has been discovered so far that would lead to more detailed information about the armor production system and the ancient society that developed it. The lack of direct sources forced researchers to rely on indirect inferences and approximations as to the techniques exhibited by the armors discovered to gain knowledge on the manufacturing process and the production system for the early armors. The main discussion in this study deals with the production system of Silla and Gaya armors based on the literature review of armor research so far on the techniques used for manufacturing plate and scale armors. The study concludes that the armors of Silla and Gaya were produced by small groups of professional artisans, albeit in limited quantities. It also shows that the professional artisans of Silla and Gaya used techniques that varied according to periods but gradually moved from those used for plate armors to scale armors, resulting in the establishment of a standardized production system. As for the background and the causes that explain the technological transition from plate to scale armor, further research is required.