Examples of Distortions

Hungary: “Korea’s prehistoric age is not known to the world because human skeletal remains from the Paleolithic and the Neolithic Era have not been discovered on the Korean Peninsula.” (Peoples of the World, Gondolot, 1984.)

Czech: The existence of Korea’s prehistoric age is not mentioned, nor is the origin of Korean history. Only the names of the countries during the Three Kingdoms Period, Goryeo, and Joseon dynasties are cited. (Encyclopedia, Odeon, 1993.)

Comment

There are some sources, for example Polish reference materials, which mention Korea’s Neolithic Era. However, a claim that no Paleolithic Era existed in Korea appears in some sources due to the misconception that Korea’s history is relatively short compared to that of China or Japan. These historical distortions concerning Korea’s ancient history are the consequence of either ignorance or a failure to appreciate the value of archaeological remains found in Korea. The problem is exacerbated by an attempt to understand China and Korea separately even though China and the Korean Peninsula are contiguous.

 The first discovery of a Paleolithic site in Korea was made in the 1930s at Donggwangjin Cheongsong-gn Hamgyeongbuk-do Province along the Duman River. However, Korean scholars could not be certain about the existence of the Paleolithic era in Korea for a period of time because no other Paleolithic sites were subsequently found.

In 1962, however, another Paleolithic site was discovered in Gulpo-ri Unggi-gn Hamgyeongbuk-do Province. The Korean archaeological community became even more certain of the country’s Paleolithic origins with the discovery of a new site at Seokjang-ri Chungcheongnam-do Province, which was excavated from 1964 to 1972. The Seokjang-ri site is as of yet the oldest Paleolithic site discovered in Korea, and it contains not only relics from the Paleolithic era, but also relics from the Mesolithic and the Neolithic era. For Korean archaeologists, the Seokjang-ri site is therefore a place of great significance. In addition, the Gumgul Cave in Danyang and the Black Moru Cave in Sangwon which were found near Paleolithic sites have been carbon dated back some 600,000 to 700,000 years. The Pillemot Cave on Jejudo, an island which constitutes the southern most part of Korea, has been discovered to contain Paleolithic relics also. Even some Paleolithic sites, which date back as recently as 10,000 years ago have been found. In total there are about 25 Paleolithic sites which have been discovered so far in Korea. It has been discovered that the Paleolithic Era primitive people, from Homo Erectus to Homo Sapiens Sapiens, lived in Korea. On Mt. Seungnisan in Pyeonganbuk-do Province, a jawbone of belonging to a Homo Sapiens Sapiens was found, and scholars have named this artifact the Mt. Seungnisan Man after the name of place where it was discovered. Studies have found that this particular individual lived in the Paleolithic Era sometime between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago. Now it is widely accepted that there was a Paleolithic Era not only in China and Manchuria, but also in Korea.