Species Identification and Radiocarbon Dating of a Container for Written Prayers, Sotong, from Guryongsa Temple in Wonju

원주 구룡사 소통(疎筒)의 수종 및 방사성탄소연대 분석

The objectives of this study were to identify the species of a wooden container for written prayers, Sotong, from Guryongsa Temple in Wonju, which is currently stored in the Museum of Woljeongsa, and to date it using wiggle matching of radiocarbon dates. It was made exclusively of basswood, Tilia spp. Wiggle matching the radiocarbon dates of three rings resulted in A.D. 1670 to 1691 (${\pm}2{\sigma}$) for the outermost ring. This interval suggested the age of 'Guryongsa Sotong' as the late $17^{th}$ or early $18^{th}$ century, which became a first date on 'Sotong' in Korea.