| Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea | |
|---|---|
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 원삼국시대 |
| Hanja | 原三國時代 |
| Revised Romanization | Wonsamguk Sidae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Wŏnsamguk Sidae |
Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea refers to the period after the fall of Gojoseon and before the maturation of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla into full-fledged kingdoms. It is a subdivision of what is traditionally called Korea's Three Kingdoms Period.
Generally considered the first three centuries of the Common Era, it is the latter part of the Iron age in Korea, and sometimes called the Samhan period, referring to the three confederacies in the central and southern Korean Peninsula. During this period, Baekje and Silla overtook the Samhan, and Goguryeo expanded in the north, destroying the last Chinese commandery at Lelang.
Contents |
| History of Korea | |
|---|---|
This article is part of a series |
|
| Prehistory | |
| Jeulmun period | |
| Mumun period | |
| Gojoseon ?–108 BCE | |
| Wiman Joseon 194 BCE–108 BCE | |
| Proto–Three Kingdoms 300–57 BCE | |
| Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye | |
| Jin state, Samhan (Ma, Byeon, Jin) | |
| Four Commanderies of Han | |
| Three Kingdoms 57 BCE–668 | |
| Goguryeo 37 BCE–668 | |
| Baekje 18 BCE–660 | |
| Silla 57 BCE–935 | |
| Gaya 42–562 | |
| North and South States 698–926 | |
| Unified Silla 668–935 | |
| Balhae 698–926 | |
| Later Three Kingdoms 892–936 | |
| Taebong, Hubaekje, Silla | |
| Goryeo Dynasty 918–1392 | |
| Joseon Dynasty 1392–1897 | |
| Korean Empire 1897–1910 | |
| Colonial Korea 1910–1945 | |
| Provisional Gov't 1919–1948 | |
| Division of Korea 1945–present | |
| North, South Korea 1948–present | |
| By topic | |
| Timeline | |
| List of monarchs | |
| Linguistic history | |
| Science and technology history | |
| Art history | |
| Military history | |
| Naval history | |
|
Korea Portal |
When Gojoseon was defeated by the Han dynasty of China in 108 BC, the northern region of the peninsula and Manchuria was occupied by the states of Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and other minor statelets. Goguryeo's traditional founding date is 37 BC, but it was mentioned in Chinese records as early as 75 BC, or possibly even 2nd century BC. China installed four commanderies in former Gojoseon territory, but three of them fell quickly to Korean resistance. Goguryeo gradually conquered and absorbed all its neighbors, and destroyed the last Chinese commandery in 313.
In the south, the little-understood state of Jin had given rise to the loose confederacies Jinhan, Byeonhan, and Mahan, or collectively, Samhan. Baekje was founded in 18 BC in Mahan territory and began to slowly overtake it. Silla was founded by the unification of six chiefdoms within the Jinhan, traditionally in 57 BC, although it may have been somewhat later. Byeonhan was absorbed into the later Gaya confederacy, which in turn was annexed by Silla.
Because of this continuity, most historians consider the Three Kingdoms to begin around the fall of Gojoseon, but the three did not dominate the peninsula as kingdoms until around 300.
Important features of this period include the widespread production of iron artifacts for daily use and the introduction of grey earthenware pottery with a beaten pattern.
Archaeological finds of the period are mainly from Nakrang and Goguryo in the north and Samhan in the south. Bronze and iron were used and iron made at shell midden sites on the southern coast.
Artifacts typical of the Korean Bronze Dagger culture, some Han Chinese culture, and Northern Steppe cultures have been found together on archaeological sites in this region, indicating independent interactions with Han China and various other areas.
The introduction of iron technology enabled the manufacture and use of stronger and sharper weapons and agricultural tools, resulting in an acceleration of political integration, as well as greater concentrations of power and wealth.
Trade is documented in the 'Annals of the Three Kingdoms' of San-guo-zhi, which states that iron from the Nakdong River basin was exported to Lolang and Wae of Japan. Contact with the cultures of the lower basin of the Nakdong River is demonstrated by archaeological evidence from China, Wae, and Manchuria.
In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, Chinese bronze mirrors, three-legged bronze ritual vessels, bronze buckles, and Chinese coins have been found both from shell middens and tombs. Examples of artifacts originating from the Northern Province include bronze 'Fu' vessels, tiger-shaped buckles, and horse-shaped buckles. Objects from Wae include Yayoi pottery, jar coffins, wide bronze spearheads and bronze halberds.