Consider Pungnap 2-dong a silent witness to the rise and fall of kingdoms. Today we stand near Pungnap Toseong. This earthen wall whispers tales of the ancient Baekje Kingdom. It is a historic site of great importance.
Pungnap Toseong’s modern name comes from “Pungnap-ri”. This was the administrative name in 1963 when it was designated a historic site. The wall once stretched 3.7 kilometers. Sadly, only 2.2 kilometers remain. Heavy rains in 1925 caused the western section to collapse.
Imagine the sheer scale of this fortress. Workers built it layer by layer with clay and sand. The inner wall had masonry. This prevented collapse. The outer wall boasted a moat and ditches. These served as defense lines. The restored wall would have been 15 meters high. It is estimated that constructing this fortress required 1.38 million people a year.
Now let me share a secret. During the 1925 floods, something incredible happened. A large earthen jar was unearthed near the western wall. Inside were two bronze tripod cauldrons. Fragments of earthenware lay scattered around.
Later in 1964, a research team from Seoul National University investigated the northern wall. They discovered black burnished pottery. Cylinder-shaped pottery stands were found. They also found fragments of paddling pattern pottery.
More excavations followed. In 1997, Sun Moon University’s team found earthenware during a reconstruction. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage stepped in. They conducted an emergency excavation. This dig revealed Baekje palace remains. Buildings roads and residential areas came to light. These relics were found near apartment complexes and parks. Tens of thousands of earthenware pieces are now housed in the Seoul Baekje Museum.
Pungnap Toseong is more than just an earthen wall. It is considered Baekje’s royal fortress. This is because of its size. The relics found here also confirm this. Royal tombs in nearby areas support this theory. These areas include Seokchon-dong and Bangi-dong.
Onjo, the founder of Baekje, settled in Wiryeseong Hanam. Its exact location remains a mystery. But Pungnap Toseong stands as a testament to Baekje’s legacy. It faces the Hangang River to the west. It connects to Mongchontoseong Fortress to the south.
The fortress once spanned 4 kilometers. The Hangang River’s overflow in 1925 reduced it to 2.7 kilometers. Vestiges of four fortress gates remain to the east. Remains from prehistoric times have been unearthed. This indicates the area was inhabited long before Baekje. Some believe a palace once stood here during the Baekje era.
As you stand here at Pungnap 2-dong remember the echoes of the past. Pungnap Toseong is not just a historical site. It is a tangible link to the Baekje Kingdom. It’s a reminder of the enduring power of history.