청동기시대 군집묘와 혼계

Abstract

There are various viewpoints for understanding the Bronze Age, with the most common perspective being that it is a hierarchical society. This interpretation is evidenced by many archaeological facts, such as differences in the sizes of settlements, excavated artifacts, tomb sizes, and grave goods within a village. Many studies have been conducted to date based on this assumption, significantly advancing our overall understanding of Bronze Age society. However, it is unlikely that the Bronze Age society was solely composed of vertical hierarchies; various types of horizontal connections likely existed at the same time and should be reflected in the material data in some way. This study reviewed a wide range of group grave types based on the concept of heterarchy, identifying many cases of group graves that reflected diverse social relationships besides vertical hierarchy. In one case, two types of tombs, possibly reflecting differences in origin, were buried together, confirming a horizontal linkage. In another case, a stone coffin tomb and a stone pit tomb were selectively built based on horizontal linkage, while belonging within the same hierarchy. Still another case showed horizontal linkage taking priority over vertical hierarchy. Additionally, there was a case where differences in burial posture reflected a horizontal connection. Admittedly, this interpretation is based on several assumptions, and the study has fundamental limitations due to the nature of Bronze Age tombs, where obtaining biological and social information about the tomb occupants is difficult. Nevertheless, considering that previous studies defined the Bronze Age as a vertically ranked hierarchical society, this study is significant for its attempt to interpret Bronze Age society using the concept of heterarchy, where vertical hierarchies and horizontal linkages are composed in diverse ways. The study holds significance for understanding more comprehensively not just Korea’s Bronze Age but also for prehistory more generally.