동삼동유적에서 확인된 환경변동의 흔적과 그 성격

Abstract

Dongsam-dong Shell Midden recognized internationally is a representative site of the Korean Neolithic Era. In this whole region, many important archeological specimens on the environmental change of prehistory were identified. So I'd like to review all the materials related to this area which have been confirmed till now. These data we could verify the environmental change of prehistory at Dongsamdong remains are divided into three big ranges. On the Dongsam-dong Shell Midden basis which is well-known, the upper side of it there is Marine Terrace(A Site) where the road is constructed and the lower side of it there is Coast(B Site), and the third part is Seabed Area(C Site) in front of it. The gravel layer(A Site) forming the base layer of the Shell Midden's lower part is near identical to that of Bonggil-ri coast or Gigok site in the East Sea with sea level and deposition. This absolute chronology dates back to Gigok site around 125,000 years ago. In my opinion, it was formed when Riss Glacial Period was moved to Interglacial approximately 125,000～130,000 years ago, the sea level had gone up by around 10m as the weather had been wormer sharply. This phenomenon could be one of important data to understand the environment of the final stage during the early days of the Paleolithic Era, and more it could be applicable on Periodic division of that. In the careful examination of the coastal site, it was discovered that ancient trees and stumps were found at the below 1∼2 meters under water, this absolute chronology was measured by 30,000 B.P.～50,000 B.P. According to the test excavation on the seabed of this period, the whole undersea area of Dongsam-dong Shell Midden was considered that the forest was crowded widely. Therefore, it was confirmed that the sea level was lower than what it has now. The earthen pots of the Neolithic Era have been identified at two places in this sea area(District C), also the chipped stone tool and flakes were excavated in point of seafloor sediment below 9 meters. In this regard, the sea level was around 150 meters lower in the Würm Glacial Period and when considering the fact that its sea level had risen to the present point in 6,000 B.P. we could expect the possibility on the presence of the Neolithic underwater remains. Finally, the higher gravel layer of A Site was formed in the upper side of the Dongsam-dong Neolithic remains, approximately it was considered that the actual height was up to maximum 10 meters around. It was regarded that the height of sea level was a little lower than that of it. After reviewing the symptoms associated with the shell midden sites in the South Coast, this period could be determined to the later stages of the Neolithic Era, this absolute chronology could be determined to 4,300～4,000 B.P. During that time, it was considered that there were two severe global warming phenomena, even more half-moon Stone Blade and rice paddy cultivation were spread to the Northern areas. So it had been affected across cultures throughout Northeast Asia. In addition, it could be viewed as an important data to describe various phenomena occurring in the Neolithic - Bronze transition period.