This study uses archaeological materials on Unified Silla Samcheok-gun Yeong-hyeon(領縣). The boundary of Unified Silla Samcheok-gun greatly differ from the present one, and the details can be judged through the locations of surrounding Yeong-hyeon(...
This study uses archaeological materials on Unified Silla Samcheok-gun Yeong-hyeon(領縣). The boundary of Unified Silla Samcheok-gun greatly differ from the present one, and the details can be judged through the locations of surrounding Yeong-hyeon(領縣) in geographical descriptions of The Chronicles of the Three States, and in ancient map in Joseon era, it is concretely specified as north Gal-lyeong. Within this spatial range, for Yeong-hyeon(領縣) to be located, traffic routes should be secured through stream, strategic point, land route and waterway in more than a certain size, and most large stream areas satisfied this requirement, and it is estimated Yeong-hyeon(領縣) was formed centering around this area.
Yeong-hyeon(領縣) played an intermediate base role formed in the north route of Silla before unification, and it is considered that it gradually settled down as Samcheok-gun Yeong-hyeon(領縣) after unification. The geographical descriptions of The Chronicles of the Three States shows four locations of Yeong-hyeon(領縣): Wugye-hyeon, Haeli-hyeon, Mangyeong-hyeon and Jugeulyeong-hyeon. The location of each -hyeon is not known except for Wugye-hyeon, and other literatures also record the locations of the Yeong-hyeon(領縣); however, the details are not consistent, so it is difficult to confirm them clearly. As a result of investigation of these records and opinions studied in this paper, it is assumed that Wugye-hyeon was in Jusu stream (Gangneung Okgye) area; Haeli-hyeon, in Maeup stream (Samcheok-si Geundeok) area; Mangyeong-hyeon, in Gagok stream (Samcheok Wondeok-eup) area; and Jugeulyeong-hyeon, in Golji stream (Samcheok Hajang-myeon) area.
As a result of investigation of archaeological site centering around each Yeong-hyeon(領縣) Bijeongji(比定地), in Wugye-hyeon, Wugye mountain castle, Geumjin-ni tomb site, Jusu-ri tomb site and Silla pottery sites are identified, and by accessories found in the Jusu-ri tomb site, the existence of the then powers could be assumed, and as the location of Wugye-hyeon is consistent in several literatures, it is not wrong to judge that the current Gangneung Okgye area was Wugye-hyeon’s Chisoji(治所地).
Haeli-hyeon area is known to have Silla castles such as Maengbang castle and Gwangtae-ri castle. Among them, record in Heomok’s Cheokjuji on Maengbang castle shows that the area is the Hyeon’s Chisoji(治所地) and that Maengbang castle may be its Chisocastle(治所城). In addition, from the second tomb of Gungchon-ni tomb site, relics of powers such as gilt bronze earrings were excavated, which is considered a strong man’s tomb. Besides, Silla pottery and numerous relic sites found in the process of excavation, too, makes one to assume that this area is a major residential area of the people of Silla.
In Mangyeong-hyeon area, Okwon castle and Hosan-ni sacred place are identified. In Okwon castle, there is no relic related to Yeong-hyeon found while in Hosan-ni sacred place, tiles with the inscription, ‘Samcheok-gun’ was found, so the remains are assumed to have been government offices, and wrinkle pattern jar, Gaewontongbo and dense wave pattern line earthenware and unified Silla roof tiles allows us to backdate the use of this castle site to Unified Silla era. In addition, Okwon-ni tomb site tomb site, Hosan-ni tomb site and Silla relic sites show that the people of Silla were formed a residential group in this area. Thus, it is judged that Gagok stream area is very likely to be Mangyeong-hyeon’s Chisoji(治所地), and Hosan-ni sacred place, to be its Chisocastle(治所城).
For Jugeulyeong-hyeon, as Sukam-ni mountain fortress and barrier properties, which are judged to be Silla castle were found in Bijeongji(比定地), Golji stream area, it is assumed to be a Silla castle built at the traffic point from Yeongseo to Yeongdong. Even though it is spatially narrow compared to Yeong-hyeon(領縣) Bijeongji(比定地) located at the eastern coast of Korea Bijeongji(比定地), possibility of being a Chisoji(治所地) with a gateway character cannot be excluded. In addition, in that there is a sign of connections to Jugeulyeong in this area, it was corrected as Samcheok-gun Jugeulyeong-hyeon’s Chisoji(治所地). However, no excavation of the remains has been done, currently it is difficult to make a definite conclusion.
Thus, each Yeong-hyeon(領縣)’s Chisoji(治所地) is organized as follows: Wugye-hyeon’s is Gangneung Okgye area where Jusu stream flows; Haeli-hyeon’s, Samcheok Geundeok-myeon Gyoka-ri where Maeup stream flows; Mangyeong-hyeon’s is Samcheok Wondeok-eup Okwon-ni tomb site and Hosan-ni area where Gagok stream flows; and Jugeulyeong-hyeon’s is Samcheok Hajang-myeon area where Golji stream flows. Among them, the locations of Wugye-hyeon and Mangyeong-hyeon are judged to be confirmed while that of Haeli-hyeon is very likely to be in Geundeok-myeon Gyoga-ri area and that of Jugeulyeong-hyeon is assumed to be in Samcheok Hajang-myeon area, but it is difficult to confirm that since still there is no clear ground.