Conjectual Study on Korean Costume in the Prehistoric Period

선사시대(先史時代)에 있었을 우리 민족복식(民族服飾)을 생각하며

In the vast extent of time, man and his ancestors have existed on earth about 2,000,000 years. For Near-Man, they knew how to make fire and protected themselves with hairs. Old-Man covered their bodies with the skins of wild animals. New Man improved the quality, the range and ingenuity, so they fabricated clothes with the animal skins. New Man is considered as ancestor of Modern Man. They had spread widely over the earth to take advantage of their surroundings. The next period, New Stone Age was chiefly distinguished by agricultural age. He was now about to make clothes from natural fibers. The two most obvious orgins of clothing are to protect the body against environment and to decorate the body. The forms of clothing were different from the various climates and regions they had settled, for example Yo-po Hyung (Apron), Kwae-po Hung (Sewn garment), Kwan-doo Hyung (Poncho), Chun-kae Hyung (Frontopend garment), Chai-hyung Hyung (Body-conforming shape). Our ancestor had moved from Baikal Lake, Central Asia toward northeast; Shun-tung in China, Manchuria and at last Han Panninsula. Considering our basic costume of ancient times were Yu(jacket), Ko(trousers), Sang(skirt), Po (coat) with the accessories of Kwan (crown), Mo (hat), Dai (belt), Hwa, Eie (footwear), here I conjecture our costume of prehistoric period was Chaihyung Hyung(Body-conforming shape) in the purpose of body covering.