Studies of Paleometallic Era Burial Monuments on the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Islands

The study is focused on the cultural contacts between the population of the Korean Peninsula and that of the Japanese islands during the Paleometallic Era based on the materials of the mound-type burial monuments. The time span under study corresponds to Yayoi and Kofun periods in Japan and the Three Kingdoms period in Korea. Field studies of archaeological sites in the Republic of Korea and Japan allow identifying the shapes of barrow mounds characteristic of the Japanese islands solely as well as those found in both territories. In recent years, fragments of clay figures similar to the Japanese Haniva have been discovered at the monuments located on the Korean Peninsula. The comparative study of plot-figure ceramics allowed identifying similar images and plots: dwelling structures, boats, birds, deer, etc. The wooden intra-grave structures – wells and composite coffins used for burials – were found analogous. The use of wood for burials in ancient Japan has been attributed to the influence of migrants from the Korean Peninsula. The excavations of the Kyo-dong Songhyo-dong burial mound in the south of the Korean Peninsula have revealed traces of contacts with the population of the Japanese islands. The Kyo-dong Songhyo-dong burial ground belongs to the Japanese Senzuka burial monuments, which are burial mounds comprising hundreds or thousands of small circular mounds closely adjoi­ning each other. The similar sites found in central Japan and in the south of the Korean Peninsula attest to the close relationships between the two territories.