Archaeological Site in Jeongok-ri, Yeoncheon

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.268

Category

유적지

Era

구석기시대

Designated year

1979

Location

연천군, 경기도— 경기 연천군 전곡읍 전곡리 178-1번지

Coordinates

38.015179, 127.060509

Located at the side of the Hantangang River in Gyeonggi-do this is one of the oldest ruins from the first half of the Old Stone Age found in South Korea. Its origin is estimated to be between 270,000 to 100,000 years ago. It was excavated and researched several times between 1979 and 1992 following its discovery by American soldiers in 1978. As a result, various kinds of stoneware including hand axes, missile stones, hand points, hoes and spits were found. Among these, a hand axe and a sharp-edged axe having the same shape as stoneware found in Europe and Africa were found for the first time in the northeastern Asia, and this has drawn the attention of the international academic world. The discovery of burnt pieces of wood indicates the possibility that mankind might have used fire at this time. As a result of researching the natural environment the bones of wild pig and pollen from oak trees were found. The prehistoric ruins at Jeongok-ri introduced Korean culture in the Old Stone Age to the international academic world as well as providing important material to illuminate the living patterns of mankind in the Old Stone Age. They also have a very important role in the study the culture of the whole northeast Asian region in the Old Stone Age.

Location