Dolmens are large stone monuments made as burial site markers by ancient peoples, mostly going back to the Neolithic age. The unique shape of the stones, the way they are mounted and the items found around them are all priceless clues to what life was like before the advent of civilization as we know it.

So how many are aware that Korea can boast the largest number of dolmens in the world? As a country often mistaken for being younger than it is, and having remained a "hermit" nation a bit too long for the previous few centuries, perhaps an introduction to a dolmen or two might clear away the misconceptions.

Korea is home to some 30,000 dolmens, which is about 40 percent of the global total. In Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) alone there are some 16,000 dolmens in some 1,900 locations. The rest are in North Korea's Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province) and Hwanghae-do (Hwanghae Province). Three dolmen sites at Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa, all located on mountain slopes of South Korea, stand out from other places, and were designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 2000.

Gochang Dolmen Site

The Gochang Dolmen Site on 8.38 hectares of land has a total 1,686 dolmens in which 447 were designated the World Heriage, and showcases the largest and the most diversified group of these stone monuments in Korea.

The kinds include table-type (northern type) style, in which four stone pillars sit in the ground with a huge capstone laid on top, a go-board type (southern type) style, where the capstone is laid directly on the burial site, pillar-type dolmens and other various kinds to typify the civilization of early days on the Korean Peninsula. The dolmens range from 1 to 5.8 meters in length. It was designated historical site no. 139 by the Korean government in 1994. In Gochang there is also a prehistoric village with huts and cottages for visitors to step back in time.

For more information visit: http://culture.gochang.go.kr/eng/04dolmen/dolmen.html
For transportation: http://culture.gochang.go.kr/eng/01tourist/number.html
Gochang Dolmen homepage (Korean): http://www.dolmen.or.kr/e_html/e_index.html

Hwasun Dolmen Site

The Hwasun Dolmen Site holds a total 1,323 dolmens on 31 hectares of land. It boasts the highest density of dolmens in the inland area of Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province). Most dolmens were distributed along the plains of Yongsan and rivers of Boseong. Dolmens here are known to be especially large, some over 100 tons and the largest weighing 280 tons. All are preserved in excellent condition.

Other significant aspects are the discovery of a quarry in this area, making it possible to understand the construction of the monoliths. The grave rooms also reveal burial customs at the time of construction and the year of its erection, as well as the social status of those buried. It was designated Historical Site No. 410 in 1998.

For more information visit: (homepage)
http://eng.hwasun.go.kr/english/html/sub04/cultural05.html
Homepage: http://www.dolmen.or.kr/e_html/e_park/e_park_index.html (Eng. Jpn. Chn.)

Ganghwa Dolmen Site

The Ganghwa Dolmen Site, with some 120 dolmens on 12.27 hectares of land, is located high up on the mountainside at an altitude of 100-200 meters in Ganghwa Island. The dolmens found in this region are mostly table-type and presumed to be earlier in kind then those of other regions. It is here that the biggest dolmen  - width 7.1 meters and height 2.6meters - is located.

Designated Historic Site no. 137, the place is also famous for the annual Ganghwa Dolmen Culture Festival that brings together prehistory-themed activities, as well as a Culture Park, museums and more.

For more information visit: (Dolmens in Ganghwado)
http://english.ganghwa.incheon.kr/03_heritage/030102.asp
Contact: http://english.ganghwa.incheon.kr/index.asp

By Kim Hee-sung
Korea.net staff writer