The Characteristics of Bronze Age in the Midwest: Focusing on the Small Tomb chambers
Authors:   The Paek-San Society, Kim Jongoh 
Published: September 2023

This article analyzes small tomb chambers of Bronze Age in the Midwest. Organized by basin and by tomb, this study examined their locations and distribution, tomb chamber size and special structures, burial and cremation spaces, and construction times based on excavated artifact types and radiocarbon dates. A total of 60 tomb chambers were identified, with 48 of them located on the west coast near the Yellow Sea and Anseongcheon Stream. The stone-coffin tombs are characterized by a singular distribution pattern, while the dolmens are found in groups. The preferred location for these tombs seems to be sites with favorable views, often situated at the highest point of a hill or on the flat surface of a ridge. The average tomb chamber on the west coast differs by about 30 centimeters compared to those around the Imjin River, but the length to width ratio is similar, which seems to explain the distribution of dolmens with a rectangular tomb chamber. On the other hand, other basins with multiple tombs have a different ratio of length to width, with either a rectangular or circular tomb with a square-shaped tomb chamber. The “ㅍ”-shaped plan of the stone coffin tomb in Tojin-ri is similar to large tabletop dolmens in Northeast Asia, such as those in Ganghwa Osang-ri, Anak Noam-ri, and Huojia Ancient Tombs in Gaizhou City, which is likely due to interaction or influence between groups. Four types of tomb chambers were identified in the dolmens of Suwolam-ri. Among them, Type Ⅲ-2 stands out as an unusual structure, characterized by a two-tiered excavation. In this structure, a single-tiered pit was dug, and the second-tiered pit was filled with charcoal, ashes, and human bones. On top of this, a stone coffin was constructed. There are 32 types of cremation tomb chambers categorized based on the condition of human bones found at the cremation sites. Cremation type I sites were located inside the tomb, where blood heat marks and sintering marks were observed in the tomb light or tomb room. Cremation type II sites were outside the tomb, with only human bones, charcoal, and ashes identified, making it difficult to determine their form. Cremation type I is found exclusively in stone-coffin tombs, while type II is found in many types of tombs. Although type II sites are generally not well-identified, the stone-coffin tombs in Tojin-ri and Hwayang District are notable for their adjacent pit toward the north. A similar structure is also found in Jungdo-dong. The similarity in the location of the cremation space to that in the Midwest suggests it was a common practice of the time. The stone-coffin tombs in Yongi-dong exhibit a structure with a rectangular chamber and the stone coffin located on one side, which differs from the existing cremation type I. A similar structure was found in Sinseo-dong, Daegu. This structure represents a different method between in situ cremation and transferred burial. It involves burning the body in the tomb and constructing a tomb chamber in its place. Although only a few examples have been found so far, further research is expected to shed light on this practice. Artifacts were concentrated in the cremation-type dolmens and stone-coffin tombs of the West Sea and Anseongcheon Stream. One-piece handle-type stone daggers, combined with polished stone arrowheads, were discovered in various tomb types, with construction dates ranging from the 8th to the 2nd century B.C. It is known that daggers with guards and pommels of equal width are earlier in date than those with wider pommels, although the calibrated date values may differ. This suggests the coexistence of multiple production methods rather than a change in form over time. Red burnished jar are characterized as grave goods buried in certain regions, centered on the South Coast. However, recently they were also found in Midwestern tombs, which is an important clue to how burial practices were shared in the South.