Over 1,600 Joseon Metal Type Artifacts Discovered in Insadong, Seoul

The appearance at the time of the discovery of Joseon metal movable type. (Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration)

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Over 1,600 pieces of early Joseon Dynasty metal type from the 15th to 16th centuries, including the earliest Korean metal type reflecting the orthography from the time of the creation of Hunminjeongeum, were discovered in Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 29th that numerous metal artifacts contained in jars were found buried together at the 'Seoul Gongpyeong District 15·16 Urban Environment Improvement Project Site' currently under excavation by the Capital Relics Research Institute. The excavated artifacts include ▲ over 1,600 pieces of metal type produced in the early Joseon period ▲ parts of an automatic water clock made between King Sejong and King Jungjong’s reigns ▲ an astronomical clock presumed to have been made during King Sejong’s era ▲ eight types of chongtong (cannons) and one bronze bell from the period between King Jungjong and King Seonjo.

Metal movable type from the Joseon Dynasty, estimated to be from the year 1434, Gapinja. (Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration)

The most notable among the newly excavated metal types are the Korean metal types reflecting the orthography from the time of the creation of Hunminjeongeum. The 'Donggukjeongun-style orthography,' used to transcribe Chinese characters’ sounds, was only used in the 15th century, and this is the first time metal type using this orthography has been physically confirmed. About ten rare 'Yeonju types' were also excavated. Yeonju types are particles such as 'imyeo' and 'igo' frequently used between Chinese characters, combined into a single type to connect grammatical particles.

A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "Various sizes of Korean metal types were excavated," adding, "The analysis of the metal types is not yet complete, but due to the variety, there is a possibility that additional actual early Joseon metal types used for printing may be found." They further explained, "Judging by the sizes and the shapes of the backs, the types are quite diverse," and added, "Most of the types are intact, but some were melted and fused together by fire."

A bronze artifact presumed to be a 'Jujeon,' a component of a water clock. (Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration)

Along with the metal types, copper products believed to be parts of an automatic water clock made between King Sejong and King Jungjong’s reigns were found finely cut inside the ceramic jar. The copper plates have round holes and are inscribed with the characters 'Iljeon' (一箭). The bead release mechanism consists of cylindrical copper pieces with hooks and ginkgo leaf-shaped clasps attached on both sides. This form matches records related to the water clock in the 'Annals of King Sejong.'

Next to the jar containing the types, the ‘Ilseongjeongsui,’ an astronomical clock used for both day and night, was discovered. This clock functioned as a sundial during the day and, at night, compensated for the sundial’s limitations by using constellations to estimate time. The 'Annals of King Sejong' record that four Ilseongjeongsui clocks were made in 1437, but none had survived until now; this excavation revealed some of their first physical appearances.

Chongtong found in Insadong. (Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration)

Small firearms called chongtong, which were loaded with gunpowder and iron bullets at the muzzle and fired by igniting a fuse, included one Seungja chongtong and seven So-seungja chongtong. All measured between 50 and 60 cm in length. The Seungja chongtong bearing the inscription 'Gyemi' (癸未) is estimated to have been made in 1583, while the So-seungja chongtong inscribed with 'Wanryeok Muja' (萬曆戊子) is believed to date from 1588. Among the inscriptions on the So-seungja chongtong is the maker’s name 'Heeson' (希孫), which also appears on the 'Chaseungja chongtong' held by the National Museum of Seoul, designated as a treasure, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. The chongtong with the 'Wanryeok Muja' inscription was also found in the Battle of Myeongnyang waters.

The excavation site is located northwest of the Jongno 2-ga intersection, at the center of the Hanyang Fortress. It belonged to the Gyeonpyeongbang area of the central district (Jungbu) of Hansungbu during the early Joseon period. Gyeonpyeongbang was one of the eight districts of central Hansungbu in early Joseon, housing judicial institutions like Uigeumbu, royal palaces such as Sunhwagung and Jukdonggung, and commercial facilities like Unjongga.

A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "All artifacts seem to have been buried together after 1588 and were not reused," adding, "After preservation treatment and further research, these will be extremely important materials to help understand early Joseon printing technology and scientific advancements."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.