Peopling in the Korean Peninsula

New Handaxes from the Jangnamgyo site: Implication to the Handaxe tradition of the Hantan-Imjin River basin, Korea. 

Jangnamgyo site:significance Chongoknian tradition Presence of various types of

handaxe

Introduction of the Jangnamgyo site Reconsidering handaxe techno-

complex in the Korean peninsula

2009. 10

장산리

Imjin RiverImjin River Old Jangnam Bridge

New Jangnam Bridge

Jangnamgyo Site

Jangnamgyo Site

Imjin RiverImjin RiverOld Jangnam Bridge

New Jangnam Bridge

Locality 2

저수지저수지

basalt

basalt + sand + gravels

Radish brown clayRadish brown claysurface

bottom

Yellowish sand+ basalt + gravels

Handaxes Excavated

handaxe

pick

ovate

cleaver

handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site (Surface)

handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

pick from the Jangnamgyo site

Pick from the Jangnamgyo site

Pick from the Jangnamgyo site

handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

cleaver from the Jangnamgyo site

cleaver from the Jangnamgyo site

Ovate handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

Ovate handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

ovate handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

ovate handaxe from the Jangnamgyo site

Chongoknian Handaxe types Chongoknian

Pointed type: pick-like, chisel end etc.

Ovate type Cleaver

Construction of typology

Handaxes in Korea

1978 Acheulean typed bifaces from the Chongokni site

Handaxes from More than 20 localities in the Korean peninsula and more and more common tool type of early Paleolithic industries in Korea.

Localities of Handaxes in Korea

Han riverHan river

Imjun riverImjun river

Hantan riverHantan river

Ovate handaxe, Chongokni

Morphological comparison

Acheulean in East Africa Chongoknian in Korea

High frequency of flakes for blank

Large cutting edge Extensive bifacial

retouch on whole piece

Plano-convex section Many typical cleavers High proportion

River cobbles and flakes of quartzite or quartz vein

Pointed tips are common Partially bifacial and

thick butt often unretouched

Thick body section Few typical cleavers Low proportion in

composition

Handaxes controversies; Chongoknian? Acheulean? or Acheulean-types? In Korea

How much similar to and different from Acheulean?

How old? Why the difference, if any? Any evidence of origin?

Quartzite/vein quartz

Tuff

Number of Flake scars on frontal and dorsal face of Handaxe from Isimila, Tanzania

Isimila, Tanzania, 2003

Black Homo sapiens sapiens in Asia, Yellow H.s.s. in Africa?

See you at the Chongokni in May 2011 for the 2nd International Conference of Acheulean.