Manwoldae Palace Excavations: Koryo-Era Metal Type Unearthed In Kaesong, N.Korea

MessageToEagle.com | December 2, 2015 | Archaeology News | No Comments

MessageToEagle.com – A piece of Koryo-era metal type predating what is believed to be the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type in 1377, has been unearthed in the North Korean border town of Kaesong.

The piece was excavated from Manwoldae Palace dated from the Koryo Dynasty in Kaesong, during a joint-Korean project, said Choi Kwang-sik of Korea University who leads the project.

The palace ruins at Manwoldae from the Koruo Dynasty (918-1392) have been unearthed in 2008. Joint excavations at Manwoldae took place four times between 2007 and 2010. Archaeologists and historians from both Koreas also restarted joint excavations in July 2014 and this year they worked from June 1 to November 30, 2015.

Manwoltae Palace was the official royal palace of the Koryo (Goryeo) Dynasty. Located in the ancient capital city of Kaesong, the palace was completely destroyed during the Red Turbans invasions of Korea during the 14th century. (Foto: EPA/YNA KOREA OUT/NTB scanpix — Manwoltae Palace was the official royal palace of the Koryo Dynasty. Located in the ancient capital city of Kaesong, the palace was completely destroyed during the Red Turbans invasions of Korea during the 14th century. (Foto: EPA/YNA KOREA OUT/NTB scanpix

The Manwoldae was built by King Taejo, the founder of the Koryo Kingdom, at the foot of Mt. Songak in Kaesong in 919. It was burned down during a Red Turban invasion in the last years of the kingdom.

A piece of metal type found during a recent excavation at Manwoldae in Kaesong, from different angles /Yonhap

“We need to conduct follow-up research of the metal type including when it was made, what kind of font was used, and what it was made from,” Choi said.

Left: Dragon-shaped pitcher made in the Goryeo Dynasty. Credits: Wikipedia Right:A celadon incense burner from the Goryeo Dynasty with Korean kingfisher glaze. National Treasure No. 95 of South Korea. Credits: Wikipedia — Left: Dragon-shaped pitcher made in the Koryo Dynasty. Credits: Wikipedia; Right:A celadon incense burner from the Goryeo Dynasty with Korean kingfisher glaze. National Treasure No. 95 of South Korea. Credits: Wikipedia

During excavations 19 sites of buildings were uncovered and about 3,500 items, including inscribed roof tiles, pieces of celadon (pottery made with celadon glaze), and dragon finials, were unearthed during the excavation that started in June, the project team told reporters.

“We discussed with North Korean historians a way to carry out a radiocarbon dating and other investigations because there are still traces of ink on the metal type.”

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