Goryeo Celadon Kiln Site, Gangjin

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.68

Category

유적지

Era

고려시대 10세기

Designated year

1963

Location

강진군, 전라남도— 전남 강진군 대구면 사당리 산4번지 외

Coordinates

34.518137, 126.817945

There are innumerable earthenware and celadon kiln sites in the villages of Daegu-myeon in Gangjin, many of them located along the Yonguncheon Stream that flows through the area. With the development of the marine transportation and the geographic and geological advantages of the place, which is small and large mountains in the north nearby the town that produced a plenty of firewood, and contained kaolin and silica, the raw material of ceramic, the area was the most ideal for producing ceramic. There are more than 75 kiln sites in Yongun-ri alone, most of which produced celadon ceramic from the early in the 10th century to the mid-11th century. Shards from these sites are of a bluish color, that indicating that the potters here had not yet achieved the unique, celadon for which Goryeo (918-1392). There are more than 59 kiln sites in and around Gyeyul-ri. Majority of the kilns are believed to have been in operation sometime between the late 11th century and the early 13th century. In the Sadang-ri area there are also more than 43 kiln sites as well. Many of them are severely damaged, however, since most of the area has been turned into arable land. Most of the kilns are believed to have been in operation in the 12th and 13th centuries when the bisaek color reached its zenith and the technique of inlaying was perfected. Some of the kilns are believed to have been in operation in the 14th century. There are six sites dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries in Sudong-ri, but the area has been turned into farmland; thus, most of the area is in bad shape. Nevertheless, all types of ceramic were found here. In the villages of Daegu-myeon, a great number of kiln sites are showing the character of general Goryeo ceramic. This place is one of the most important kiln sites together with the one in Buan, Jeollabuk-do to study the Goryeo celadon.

Location