In this study, the 90 earthenware kilns found in the Baekje region were grouped by river basins to investigate their structural properties and production methods.
The kilns in the Asan Bay area, Geum River basin, Mangyeong River basin, and Yeongsan Ri...
In this study, the 90 earthenware kilns found in the Baekje region were grouped by river basins to investigate their structural properties and production methods.
The kilns in the Asan Bay area, Geum River basin, Mangyeong River basin, and Yeongsan River basin were analyzed to determine their structural properties. The analysis was focused on the structure of the combustion chamber, the plane figure of the furnace, the area of the furnace, and the gradient of the furnace bottom. The kilns in the 4 areas meet the requirements for an ascending kiln but show differences in the detailed shape. For instance, the aspect ratio of the funace bottom in the Asan Bay area and Yeongsan River basin is 1 to 2 or more, whereas that of those in the Geum River basin is 1 to 2 or less. In the case of the kilns in the Geum River basin, there is frequently found a stairway between the combustion chamber and the furnace, whereas the kilns in the Yeongsan River basin don't have such a stairway. It is interesting to note that there are high similarities in the structural properties between the kilns in the Geum River basin and those in the Mangyeong River basin, which are geographically close to each other.
The earthenware production methods are divided into small-scale production and large-scale production, based on the density of kilns, the results of the surface survey of surrounding areas, structural continuity, and the results of previous studies.
The artifacts excavated from less than 3 kilns are mostly containers made in small-scale production. Such small-scale production was prevalent in almost all the regions during the whole period. It is assumed that the products were only available to 1 or 2 villages due to the limited distribution network.
The presence of the great number of kilns is evidence of large-scale production. Based on the properties of the products made in large-scale production, large-scale production is further divided into wide-area production and state-run production. The products supplied to various consumers are those made in wide-area production, whereas those supplied for royal tombs, public offices, and temples are those made in state-run production.
As a result of comparing the aspect ratios of the kilns made for state-run production, it is concluded that the kilns in the Buyeo area during the Sabi Period of Baekje had high standardization thanks to the downsizing of the furnace. This is thought to be because the needs for products were able to be fully met by the development of the firing technology.
In conclusion, the kilns of Baekje do not show a linear pattern of development from small-scale to large-scale production and from local to wide-area distribution network. Small-scale production was prevalent in all the regions during the whole period, while large-scale production was carried out in more specific types to meet various social needs. It is therefore concluded that the size of a kiln is not necessarily correlated with the size of production operations.