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National Treasure

Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace in Daegok-ri, Ulju

울주 대곡리 반구대 암각화 ( 蔚州 大谷里 盤龜臺 岩刻畫 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace in Daegok-ri, Ulju
Quantity 1 Item
Designated Date 1995.06.23
Age New Stone Age
Address 285, Bangudaean-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan

Petroglyphs, or stone engravings, refer to the drawings that men of the prehistoric age engraved on such sacred places as huge rocks with the hopes that their wishes might come true. It is known that stone engravings are related to the Southern culture. Such engravings discovered in the Korean peninsula give information on the origin and migration of the inhabitants. This stone engraving is 4.5m tall and 8m wide. It is engraved on a rock that has the shape of the Korean alphabet 'ㄱ.'Due to the construction works of Sayeon Dam, the engraving is presently underwater. On the surface of the rock, a total of 200 drawings showing 75 kinds of land animals and sea animals and hunting scenes are engraved. There is a tiger caught in a trap and a female tiger heavy with child. Wild boars are captured in love making scenes and does can be seen either stalking with their babies by their sides or carrying them. Whales with spears in them, or carrying children can also be seen. The hunting scenes consist of masked magicians, hunters after their prey, and fishermen on board ships. Details such as fishing nets and the shape of the ships are all expressed. Supposedly these scenes were engraved in the hope that the hunts will be successful and the prey more abundant. The outlines of the drawings are chiseled out and grinded. From these techniques, it seems that the stone engravings were made between the end of the Neolithic Age and the Bronze Age. The hunting scenes are made real and dynamic through the use of line and dots and on the whole, all the figures seem vivid and real. Being at the same time hunting art and religious art, they are excellent works from which the lives and customs of the prehistoric age can be known.