Mahan, Baekje era wooden palisade fortress excavated near Namhangang River in Chungju

An important archaeological discovery has been made in Chungju, South Korea, with the unearthing of a wooden palisade fortress dating back to the Mahan and Baekje periods. This find is expected to shed significant light on the ancient history and cultural transformations of the region.

The fortress was identified during academic excavation surveys in the Tapyeong-ri area of Jungangtap-myeon. It is situated on a ridge of Jangmisan mountain, approximately 700 meters south of the historic Jangmisanseong Fortress and about 200 to 300 meters from the Namhangang River, offering a commanding view of the waterway.

The wooden palisade structure is impressive, measuring 960 meters in circumference and 1.2 meters in height. Excavations revealed a continuous structure of rectangular pits along the ridge, where wooden posts were erected, with some pits still containing traces of the original wooden posts. Evidence of later earthwork fortifications was also found in some sections, indicating a transition in defensive construction over time.

Artifacts recovered from the site include items like steamers, spindle whorls, and pottery handles from the rammed earth foundation layer of the earthworks. Notably, materials related to iron production, such as tuyeres and iron slag, were also discovered. These findings suggest that iron manufacturing and processing were likely activities conducted at or near the fortress. While nearby sites like Jangmisanseong Fortress and Hwangsaemeori Tombs are typically dated to the 5th-century Baekje period, this newly discovered palisade fortress is estimated to be from the 3rd to 4th centuries, belonging to the Mahan and Baekje eras. Further investigation is deemed necessary, as only a portion of the fortress has been excavated.

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Although surrounding sites like Jangmisanseong Fortress and Tapyeong-ri ruins are mostly 5th-century Baekje period relics, this wooden palisade fortress is estimated to be from the 3rd to 4th-century Mahan and Baekje periods. Only some sections of the fortress have been excavated, and further investigation appears necessary.