조선시대 한양권역 출토 막새의 변천양상과 배경 = The Evolution and Context of Roof-End Tiles Excavated from the Hanyang Area during the Joseon Dynasty

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines roof-end tiles excavated from palaces and government offices in the Hanyang area during the Joseon Dynasty, focusing on their production periods, patterns of transformation, and the social background behind these changes. Hanyang, as the political and cultural center of the Joseon Dynasty, was home to a variety of architectural structures, and the roof tiles discovered in this region serve as important archaeological materials for understanding the hierarchy and characteristics of these buildings. In particular, roof-end tiles transcend their role as simple roofing materials to serve as significant indicators reflecting the political, economic, social conditions, and aesthetic sensibilities of their time.
Based on newly accumulated archaeological data, this research reviews roof-end tiles from palaces and government offices in the Hanyang area, covering the period from the late 14th century, around the foundation of Joseon, up to the era preceding Japanese colonial rule. The distribution of excavated tiles is mostly concentrated within Hanyang Fortress, especially in palaces, government offices, and residential zones related to the royal family, reinforcing the notion that roof-end tiles are core elements symbolizing the status and prestige of architecture. Analysis of decorative motifs, structural forms, and manufacturing techniques reveals that the development of Hanyang’s roof-end tiles can be divided into three major phases, each closely associated with political and social changes of their respective periods.
The roof-end tiles of Hanyang demonstrate unique patterns and techniques within a centralized production system. Motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, auspicious characters, spiders, and bats were primarily used for palaces and government offices, with production methods varying by period: multi-ring impressions in the early phase, thick clay layering in the middle, and composite clay and wooden (or sand) plate impressions in the late period—all indicative of temporal changes. These features are crucial for understanding the central roof-tile production system and its scope.
Furthermore, the decorative motifs of roof-end tiles in state architecture during the Joseon Dynasty reflect the unique identity of Korean culture, distinct from that of China. While early Joseon continued traditions from Goryeo and Yuan, after King Sejong’s administrative reforms, a more distinctively Korean aesthetic emerged, and auspicious motifs became widely employed in state architecture.
By systematically presenting the chronology and evolution of Hanyang’s roof-end tiles, and clarifying their unique characteristics and symbolic meanings, this study provides foundational data for research on Joseon architectural culture. However, there are limitations to interpreting the broader production, distribution systems, and social meanings of roof tiles based solely on roof-end tiles. Future research aims to complement these findings with documentary sources and studies of other tile types and their architectural relationships.