Ancient Bangudae Petroglyphs Still Endangered

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Last edited Sun Oct 21, 2018, 12:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Source KBS "Heaven's Collection" ( 천상의 컬랙션 ) broadcast: computer facsimile of Bangudae Petroglyphs Oct 20, 2018

The South Korean cultural entertainment program "Heaven's Collection," presented a feature on the Bangudae Petroglyphs, World Heritage Site and Korean National Treasure No. 285, explaining their world historical and anthropological significance. There are roughly 300 animal forms depicted primarily by engraving the rock face of a river tributary in Taegok Ri, Ulchu County, South Korea ( 반구대암각화, 울주군 대곡리 ) upriver from the city of Ulsan. The most abundant single type of animal engraved are various species of whales. The narrator for the feature suggested that the site reflected thousands of years of neolithic history up to the bronze age. He declined to call the site prehistoric in nature. The abstract nature of the rock engravings, rather than being illustrative as the more famous earlier Altamira cave paintings, are conceptual in nature, bordering on the features of an ideographic language. Various human forms and hunting implements are depicted along with drawings of unknown nature.

An unfortunate development concerning this site, is that it is endangered by the dam constructed on the river tributary to control water levels and water supply in the area. When the water level rises, the glyphs are submerged and subject to weathering, erosion, and other material deterioration. The threat to the world and national cultural heritage has been the subject of various proposals and engineering plans to preserve the site for years, but the competing cultural and agricultural interests and the desire to maintain the fresh water supply have obstructed meaningful progress on conservation measures.

Reportedly the local and national government authorities yet again have plans under consideration that will result in decision on a proposal by the end of the year to preserve this important anthropological treasure.

Wikipedia has an excellent description of the site with pictures:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangudae_Petroglyphs

"From the abundant representations of marine animals, the site seems to be in close relationship with hunter-fishers attributed to the Neolithic era (between 8000 BP and 3500 BP). Consequently, the Bangudae site has the most ancient evidence of whaling worldwide and is considered highly important not only as a first whaling representation, but also for understanding prehistoric maritime culture in the northern Pacific area."

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1. Link to stone rubbing image of central portion of relief surface

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2017/01/26/0200000000AKR20170126064700057.HTML

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2. New Image from Korea EBS broadcast Nov 3

Source EBS Culture Legacy Korea Nov. 3

It's 10 meters X 30 meters.