Imagine trash cans that look like ancient earthenware. This is just a small taste of what awaits you at the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site.
Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site offers a unique glimpse into the lives of people during the Neolithic Era. It is a significant historical and cultural landmark in Seoul.
Around 6,000 years ago ancestors lived here. This is the largest cliff dwelling site from the Neolithic age discovered in Korea. The Amsa-dong site sits near a non-decorative earthenware site from the Bronze Age. This shows a medley of two cultures from different ages. It is the first Neolithic age settlement site known in Korea.
The site’s discovery came in 1925. A flood exposed a large amount of diagonal-line patterned earthenware along the Hangang River. Subsequent excavations led to the establishment of the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site.
Archaeologists found ancient buildings and artifacts. Stone axes and arrowheads were found. Countless pieces of diagonal-line patterned earthenware were also uncovered. These discoveries offer valuable insights into the daily lives of Neolithic people.
Dugout huts were the common dwelling in the Neolithic age. Caves were sometimes used. The Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site showcases these dwellings. The huts were built by digging a pit into the ground. Rafters were placed directly on the ground to form the structure. Hearths were built in the center for heating and cooking. It is estimated that two to three people lived in a small dugout hut. Five to six people lived in a big one.
The economy here depended on hunting, gathering, and fishing. Fishing net sinkers and harpoons prove that. Arrowheads show that hunting was done in the nearby hills. Acorns were a staple food. Farming tools confirm that upland farming was also practiced.
Comb-patterned pottery is representative of the Neolithic age in Korea. The earthenware was made by combining mica powder or asbestos and talc. Each rim was made separately and piled up one by one. The pottery has a straight-lipped and half-egg shape with a pointed or round bottom. The color is soft brown.
Since 1988, the site has been open to the public. You can experience primitive life. The entrance gate is shaped like a huge dolmen. There are nine restored mud huts. There are also exhibition halls displaying ancient artifacts. An open mud hut lets visitors experience life in the Neolithic Era.
The Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of our ancestors. It is a place where you can connect with the past. You can learn about the origins of Korean culture. It’s a journey back in time.