Changes in the Species of Woods Used for Korean Ancient and Historic Architectures

우리나라 건축물에 사용된 목재 수종의 변천

We investigated the changes in the species of the woods used for Korean ancient and historic architectures, which include prehistoric excavated relics and existing wooden buildings in South Korea. The species data were collected from various sources such as excavation and repair reports, journal papers, and a few unpublished documents. We divided the building Periods as Paleolithic, Neolitic, Bronze Ages, Iron Age/Three Kingdoms, Koryo, Joseon (early, middle, late) and modem periods. In prehistoric periods, hardwoods were major species. Oak (Quercus spp.) woods dominated (94 percent in average); the others (5%) were Juglans mandshurica, Platycarya strobilacea, Castanea crenata, and few softwoods(1%). During Iron Age and Three Kingdom periods, oaks remained as a major species (57%) and others Platycarya strobilacea(21%), Castanea crenata(13%), and Pinus spp. (6%). The oak woods decreased in Koryo period and they occupied only 1.1%. Instead of oaks, pine (Pinus spp., 71%) and Zelkova serrata (22%) dominated in Koryo. In early and middle Joseon periods, pine woods (73%) remain as a major species and the others were oaks (14%) and Zelkova serrata (9%). As late Joseon came, the pine woods occupied more than 88%. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a few boreal species such as larch (Larix spp.) and spruce (Picea spp.), which grow in cold area, were found. We believe they were transported from northern Korea. The existing buildings in Korea are mainly from Joseon period and a few from late Koryo periods. During these periods, pine woods were used for most buildings. For such reason, pine woods were known as 'representative materials for historic buildings'. but earlier times, broad-leaved trees, i.e., oak and Zelkova woods were major materials. The changes in building materials resulted from both climate and human impacts. The dry climate and disturbed forests induce more pines in the mountains. We also compared the wood qualities of the species and found that Zelkova woods were superior ones and deserved more planting for future demands in the repair for historic buildings.