A Study on the Progress of Iron-making Technology Development Identified at Donghae Songjeong-dong Remains

Abstract

Donghae Songjeong-dong remains have been known as the important remains with regard to iron manufacture in the eastern region of Korea, but they have not been fully explored. This study aggregated and re-examined the artifacts related with iron manufacture, excavated at Songjeong-dong remains, and the results of metallurgical analysis. Archaeological materials include blast pipe, crucible, and furnace bottom, and the metallurgical analysis examined Songjeong-dong District Ⅱ and the remains of the trunk road site. The blast pipe is categorized into two types based on the caliber and thickness, and type Ⅱ was the same as the ones found among the articles excavated at Gapyeong Majang-ri remains. The crucible was the one used to produce cast ironware. The shape of the smelting furnace could be restored based on the examination of the furnace bottom. Results from metallurgical analysis evidenced the smelting technology. Also, they also showed the progress of iron-making technology such as the introduction of the blast pipe for smelting and the cast ironware production technology. It is presumed that this iron-making technology was transmitted from the western region of Korea to the eastern region.