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History |
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History |
Archaeological remains indicate that humans have inhabited the Korean peninsula since around the 5th millennium. Korean architectural traditions may be traced back to these Scytho-Siberian inhabitants of northeastern Asia. According to an ancient text written in Chinese called San guo chih, there were three types of early Korean dwellings: pit-houses, log houses, and elevated houses. Only the remains of pit-houses survive to this day. However, the log house tradition can be seen in the rural mountainous areas and the ideas represented in the elevated house may have influenced the multi-story pavilions and lookout stands. The first kingdom in Korea is known as Ancient Choson. This “kingdom” came into being in the fourth century B.C.E. and was the dominant force in Korean culture until the third century B.C.E. For the most part, it was apparently just an amalgamation of walled town-states. Essentially, Choson was the first glimmerings of political unity in Korea. A Chinese invasion in 300 B.C.E. brought Chinese influence into the kingdom of Ancient Choson, establishing a pattern of influence that would happen throughout Korea’s history. The Three Kingdoms The next great catalyst for cultural development came in 109 B.C.E.,
when a Chinese colony established itself in the northwest corner of Korea.
This colony, known as the Lo-Lang or Nangnang colony, was the first
major injection of Chinese culture into the peninsula.
In fact, the only major stone structures in traditional Korean
architecture (other than walls) are pagodas and stupas. As a result of the
presence of the Chinese colony, the “Three Kingdoms” – Koguryo (37
B.C.E.), Paekche (18 B.C.E.), and Silla (undated) - came into being at around the
same time. By the third
century, each kingdom was a significant power within the region. The northern Puyo state of Koguryo experienced the earliest
strength (and, overall, the greatest), followed by the southern Puyo state
of Paekche which came to prominence in 342 C.E. after Koguryo’s fall.
Rounding out the kingdoms was the southern Han kingdom of Silla,
which reached its peak in the 5th Century.
Silla came to greater prominence when it formed an alliance with
the Tang Dynasty in China to defend itself against Paekche. This alliance
was also largely responsible for Silla's conquest of Paekche and Koguryo.
After using the Tang foces to their benefit, the Silla rulers drove
the foreigners from their land to unify the peninsula as the Great Silla
Dynasty. |
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The major capitals of the three kingdoms –
Kogurygo,
Kungn ae-Song, and Pyongyang
(Koguryo); Kwangju, Kongju, and Puyo (Paekche);
and Kyongju (Old Silla), all yield quite a few relics that indicate the
nature of the inhabitants of the individual kingdoms.
The
Three Kingdoms Period saw the rise of organized religion in Korea:
Buddhism arrived with the Lo-Lang Colony, and Confucianism was imported
during the 4th century.
Architecturally, the earliest extant stone
pagoda comes from the kingdom of Paekche.
Pagodas, or stupas, are buildings that traditionally hold the remains of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha himself). In Korea, they normally held old Sutras or the remains of monks. Worshippers made use of the pagoda by circumambulating the structure in homage to Buddha. |
Paekche Pagoda |
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