‘Anseong Dogi-dong Sanseong’ named national historic site

Anseong Dogi-dong Sanseong (Fortress)," a military facility for Baekje and Goguryeo during the Three Kingdoms Period, has been designated as a national historic site.

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday, “We are designating ‘Anseong Dogi-dong Sanseong' in Gyeonggi Province as Historic Site No. 536, nationally designated cultural property.” The fortress was constructed on a hill linked to Anseong Stream.

The fortress was first used by Baekje as defense facility between the 4th and 6th centuries, and later occupied by Goguryeo after Baekje relocated its capital to Ungjin. As signs of wooden fence (wooden columns erected horizontally in holes to prevent enemy forces from invading) from the Three Kingdoms Period were discovered during excavation work, which was conducted before a project to construct a warehouse, the fortress was tentatively designated as an important cultural property late last year.

Dogi-dong Sanseong is the only wooden fence fortress from Goguryeo that has been found in southern areas of Gyeonggi Province. The academic community believes that the fortress will serve as a key reference in the efforts to trace the route of Goguryeo’s expansion of its territories in south of the Han River and its advance to the south. Since wooden fence remains relatively in good condition, which is rare, the historic site is also expected to help experts learn the structure of ancient fortresses.

Excavation work at the site was followed by the discovery and collection of relics from the Hanseong Baekje Period, including wooden fence, tripod pottery, gupdari (curved) plate, and siru (steamer for rice cake-making). Also discovered there includes potteries from Goguryeo, such as including lids, a pot with handle, a short-neck pot, and sabal (bowl), and cup-shaped earthenware from the Gaya Kingdom.

김상운 기자sukim@donga.com