Earticle

A large number of roof tiles were excavated from the ancient tombs in Seokchon-dong, Seoul, the royal cemetary of Hanseong period in Baekje. The recently excavated burial ritual part of the Connected Stone-mound Tomb was concentrated with roof tiles along with cremated bones and many earthenwares. The tiles of the connected stone mound are consistent with the diversity seen in Pungnaptoseong. These contain two traditional tiles related to whether or not to use the circular frames. A number of tiles, had also been excavated in the area of Tomb No. 3 and No. 4. All of these were made using circular frames, showing differences from the previous tiles. As for the use of roof tiles excavated from the Seokchon-dong, opinions have been raised that are presumed to be used on the roof of memorial building in or on the tomb or to cover the tomb directly. However, there is a limit to the progress of research because there is insufficient evidence to prove this. It is presumed that the roof tiles excavated from the connected stone mound tombs in Seokchon-dong were used for wooden structures or buildings for cremation.

While studying the Chinese Six-Dynasties(六朝) and their Roof-end Tiles, the author first encountered Vietnamese Roof-end Tiles. Due to the influence of the Six Dynasties' Roof-end Tiles, Roof-end Tiles with human-face motifs were unearthed in ancient Korean Baekje(百濟) and Silla(新羅) regions. However, these Roof-end Tiles with human-face motifs are from a later period than those from the Six-Dynasties and differ in form from the Roof-end Tiles with human-face motifs of the Sun Wu(孫吳) period. On the other hand, Roof-end Tiles with human-face motifs unearthed in Vietnam bear similarities in period and style to those from the Sun Wu period found in Chinese cities like Nanjing(南京) and Yuezhou(岳州). This resemblance prompted an exploration of the cultural influence of Chinese Roof-end Tiles on Vietnam through exchanges during the Six-Dynasties period. Upon examining related materials, records of cultural exchange not only between the Six-Dynasties and ancient Vietnam but also between the ancient Vietnam and Baekje were found. Artifacts supporting these records indicate that there was cultural exchange between ancient Vietnam and Baekje as well. Recognizing the need to broaden the scope of research to include not only the Southern Dynasties-Vietnam and Southern Dynasties-Baekje exchanges but also interactions among various countries along maritime routes of the time, the author realized the necessity of a new perspective. This study aims to consolidate the findings from excavations at the Vietnamese sites of Tra Kieu and Luy Lau, examining the unearthed roof tiles to understand cultural exchanges between ancient Vietnam and China’s Six-Dynasties, as well as Baekje. Through this analysis, the author hopes to outline the interactions between Baekje and ancient Vietnam and recognizes the need for further comparative research, anticipating more studies in this area.

On April 23, 2024, the Hwaseong temporary palace, which had been dismantled during the Japanese colonial period, was fully restored to its original form after 119 years. The restoration process involved nine stages of excavation, alongside extensive research in historical documentation, architectural studies, and the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage. However, despite the structure’s prominence with 576 compartments, research on the roof tiles, particularly the roof-end tiles that both protect structural elements and symbolize the grandeur of the Hwaseong temporary palace, remains limited. Prior studies have also failed to clearly address the production period or the evolution of these tiles. This study analyzes roof-end tiles unearthed from Hwaseong temporary palace, focusing on their characteristics, production period, and historical background. It was found that the features of the roof-end tiles from Hwaseong temporary palace closely align with those from palaces and royal tombs constructed or renovated between the 16th and 18th centuries. These stylistic similarities extend to the roof-end tiles used during the late 18th-century construction of Hwaseong temporary palace. The study draws on the 『Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe』(Records of Hwaseong Fortress Construction) to investigate why the roof-end tiles of Hwaseong temporary palace were made using central construction techniques. By analyzing the occupations, origins, and names of artisans listed in the 『Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe』, and cross-referencing them with artisans mentioned in 18th-century construction records, it was confirmed that many of the craftsmen were independent artisans from Seoul. These artisans appeared repeatedly in documents such as the 『Jangjo Yeonguwon Myosodogam Uigwe』(1762), 『Yeongjo Wonreung Sanneungdogam Uigwe』(1776), 『Gyeongmogung Gaegundogam Uigwe』(1776), and 『Munhyo Sejabin Gonghongundogam Uigwe』(1786). After the dissolution of state-run handicraft systems following the Imjin War(Japanese Invasions of Korea, 1592~1598), many government-affiliated artisans dispersed but continued to participate in the production of roof tiles for palaces, royal tombs, Confucian shrines, and temporary palace. Their involvement in the construction of Hwaseong temporary palace explains the direct transfer of central tile-making techniques and styles to the site. This research establishes the production period of the roof-end tiles at Hwaseong temporary palace, identifying them as products of the initial construction phase. It further elucidates the characteristics of roof-end tiles during the post-Imjin War period to the pre-reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung, a previously under-researched era in the evolution of Joseon-era roof tiles. Additionally, it sheds light on the operational scope of tile-making artisans of the time. These findings are expected to contribute significantly to future restoration efforts of Hwaseong temporary palace and the five major palaces in Seoul.