Types and Changes of Top-shaped Pottery in the Taedong River-Han River Basin

Abstract

This paper was written for the purpose of presenting an explanatory framework for the relationship with the Top-shaped pottery culture in the process of developing the Bronze Age culture in South Korea region. Accordingly, it was described based on an overall understanding of the shape and distribution aspect of the Top-shaped pottery found in the Taedong River-Han River basin. First, a typology was conducted on the Top-shaped pottery in Pyongyang, Pyeongannam-do, and Hwanghae-do, which are the central distribution areas of the Top-shaped pottery culture. The form was classified into jar-shaped and necked jar-shaped and individual attributes were extracted by paying attention to the shape of pottery. Next, in order to examine the progress in the shape of artifacts and features based on the order of dwellig along with the verification of the Top-shaped pottery classification, the settlement in the Taedong River basin, where dwelling overlap was confirmed, were reviewed. By aggregating pottery classification and settlement examination, the features excavated from the Top-shaped pottery were seriated, and finally, the Top-shaped pottery culture was divided into four stages. Next, the analysis of the Top-shaped pottery in the South Korean region was conducted by paying attention to the shape of pottery and the method of processing the rim in order to understand the parallel relationship with the North Korean region. The Top-shaped pottery in South Korea region was identified from the second stage, and the gradual spread process to Yeoncheon, Ganghwa 􂉲 Gimpo, Incheon 􂉲 Bukhangang River basin could be assumed. When paying attention to the distribution of these stages, the distribution range of the Topshaped pottery culture gradually changes, and at the same time, differences in the shape of the Top-shaped pottery are observed depending on the region. As described above, regional deviation detected in the settlement aspect of the Top-shaped pottery culture and the shape of the Top-shaped pottery is believed to reflect the character and intensity of the spread of the Top-shaped pottery culture in South Korea region.