Godasanseong in Haenam Revealed... Bronze Seal Inscribed 'Wang' and Gilt-Bronze Belt Unearthed

Local Administrative Hub of Unified Silla, 'Chisoseong', Revealed
Excavation Results to Be Shared at On-site Briefing on September 17

In the excavation of Godasanseong located in Hyunsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, a large number of high-ranking prestige items were unearthed, including roof tiles inscribed with 'Saegumgwan(塞琴官)', a bronze seal bearing the character 'Wang (王)', and a gilt-bronze belt in the style of China's Tang Dynasty.

On September 8, Haenam-gun announced that it conducted its first excavation of Godasanseong as part of a historical and cultural restoration project over a three-month period starting in June, unearthing more than 100 artifacts, including major structures such as the fortress walls and gate sites.

At the excavation site of 'Godasan Fortress' located in Hyeonsan-myeon, Haenam County, numerous prestige items of the highest-ranking class were unearthed, including roof tiles inscribed with 'Saegumgwan(塞琴官)', a bronze seal bearing the character 'Wang (王)', and a gilt-bronze belt in the style of the Tang Dynasty of China. Provided by Haenam County

This excavation has attracted significant academic attention, as it provides decisive evidence that Godasanseong was not merely a military defense facility but also functioned as a 'Chisoseong'—a local political and administrative hub during the Unified Silla period.

The most notable artifacts from this investigation are the top-tier prestige items, remarkable for both their rarity and historical value. The roof tile inscribed with 'Saegumgwan' is a key clue that directly connects to Baekje administrative place names recorded in historical texts, shedding light on the historical origins of Godasanseong.

The bronze seal inscribed with 'Wang', believed to have been used for administrative documents, and the gilt-bronze belt of Tang Dynasty style, which reflects the status and local ruling system of the Unified Silla period, both support the assertion that this fortress was a high-ranking local government office closely connected to the central administration. In addition, a variety of other artifacts were found, including decorative end tiles, weapons, agricultural tools, and ritual vessels.

Godasanseong is situated at a strategic vantage point with a clear overview of both maritime routes along the west and south coasts and land approaches. Layered cultural strata from three periods—ranging from the Mahan era to the Joseon Dynasty—were clearly identified during the excavation.

Following Mahan period structures found beneath the fortress walls, the site was rebuilt as a stone fortress during the Unified Silla period and operated as a Chisoseong. After its abandonment, buildings with stone walls from the Joseon Dynasty were constructed on the site. Notably, the recessed building and rammed earth techniques used on the northern wall, as well as the construction and repair patterns seen at the eastern gate site, exemplify the advanced fortress-building techniques of the Unified Silla period.

To share the results of this excavation with the public, Haenam-gun will hold an on-site briefing session at the Godasanseong excavation site at 2 p.m. on September 17. An official stated, "Based on these achievements, we plan to establish a master plan for the historical and cultural restoration project, actively pursue state heritage designation, and develop Godasanseong as a representative historical and cultural asset of the west and south coastal regions."

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