By Honorary Reporter Faranak Solat from Iran

Gangdong-gu District in Seoul from Oct. 16-18 hosted the Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival at the famous archaeological site in the neighborhood of Amsa-dong.

A woman on Oct. 17 creates a traditional-style painting at the Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival in Seoul's Gangdong-gu District. (Faranak Solat)

Under the theme "Seoul's Beginning, Amsa," the event covered the daily lives, traditions and cultural practices of communities that inhabited the area about 6,000 years ago.

The region grew in fame in 1925 when flooding along the Hangang River exposed archaeological remains, including pieces of comb-patterned pottery. The area was designated a historical site in 1979 and has since served as an important location for cultural heritage preservation.

Visitors on Oct. 17 cook marshmallows on stone-lined fire pits at the Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival in Seoul's Gangdong-gu District, Seoul. (Gangdong-gu Office)

Educational exhibitions, hands-on workshops, cultural performances and family-oriented activities were also held, with an event for prehistoric fire-making especially popular. Visitors learned the methods used to make fire before the development of modern tools, as well as how prehistoric communities obtained and maintained fire for cooking, warmth and other purposes.

Exhibitions displayed figures in prehistoric clothing around a fireplace to illustrate Neolithic food preparation and tool use. Outdoor spaces featured stone-bordered fire pits and seating to recreate early human settlements.

A booth for prehistoric rock art activity is held on Oct. 17 at the Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival in Seoul's Gangdong-gu District. (Faranak Solat)

Booths also offered traditional and creative activities such as a brush-painting activity using time-honored painting techniques and cookie decorating. Other highlights included the Neolithic Archaeology Experience School, which featured prehistoric barbecue and handicrafts.

Drones on Oct. 16 form the words "31st Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival" in the night sky at the event's opening drone light show in Seoul's Gangdong-gu District. (Gangdong-gu Office)

Performing arts and attractions were also offered at night. The opening ceremony and a drone show kicked off the event on Oct. 16, while an evening light festival and media projections presented stories of the site's 6,000-year history.

Two days later, closing performances and a fireworks display wrapped up the festival.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.