• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.39
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• pp.39-58
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• 2006

This study reviews recent shell midden studies in Korea. With more interest in biological materials, recent shell midden studies have attempted to reconstruct palaeoenvironment, and understand subsistence economy, the formation processes and function of sites and past culture. Especially, one of the major topics in prehistoric Korean shell midden studies is the transitional process from hunter-gatherer to farmer. To solve these questions related with shell middens, new sampling strategies and excavation techniques have been adopted. Analytical methods combined with scientifical technologies also have been introduced to shell middle studies. These methods indude stable isotope analyses(Oxygen isotope and Carbon and Nitrogen isotope analyses) and growth-line analysis, etc.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-85
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• 1988

The understanding of the faunal sequence and palaeoenvironment of East Asia since the Late Tertiary depends mainly on the knowledge of Chinese fauna and its environmental changes. The recent Chinese researches including geology, geomorphology, climats fluctuation and loess distribution of this area have provided that the rapid uplifting of Himalayas and Qinghai/Xizang Plateau since the Lower Pleistocene was a main selective factor for the process of environmental changes in this vast territory. Although different concepts of the Plio-Pleistocene boundary have been provided, its boundary can not exceed over 2 mya. Instead of the traditional zoogeographical dicthomy in China, faunal compositions of Pleistocene are divided into three faunal zones. The knowledge of macrofaunal evolution in China are useful to understand the palaeoecology of East Asia. Palaeoenvironment of Korea during the Pleistocene Period can be reconstructed by using the analogy of the current Chinese studies.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2013

In this study, growth-line analysis was carried out on the hard clam (Meretrix petechialis) collected from the Neolithic shell middens in Daejuk-ri, Seosan, Korea, to reconstruct palaeoenvironment. Growth increments of 206 specimens of the clam were examined. The ages of the specimens were determined from the rings on the shells. The relationship between shell length and ring radius in each ring group was expressed as a regression line, indicating a correspondence in each ring formation. Growth pattern of the midden specimens was compared to that of modern ones collected from Gimje, Jeonbuk. Growth curves for shell length fitted to the von Berta anffy's growth curve were expressed respectively as follows: $SL_t=102.9025[1-e^{-0.18657(t+1.0906)}]$ in the shell midden specimens, $SL_t=104.2583[1-e^{-0.2277(t+0.7499)}]$ in the modern ones. The relationship between shell length (SL; mm) and shell height (SH; mm) was expressed by the following equations: SH = 0.7791 SL + 3.6636 ($R^2$ = 0.946) in the midden specimens, SH = 0.8103 SL + 0.5145 ($R^2$ = 0.991) in the modern ones. The results of the tests regarding the differences between regression coefficients and elevations of growth curves of these two populations demonstrate that the slopes were not significantly different (p < 0.05), but the elevations were (p > 0.05). However, overall growth curves of the midden and modern populations were not significantly different, indicating that shell growth environments of the two areas are similar. Therefore, it is likely that sea temperature near the midden area could be similar to that of present Gimje area, and thus temperature during the period of the midden formation could be higher than presently known.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 1990

Gravel shapes of the terrace gravel sequences are compared with the present river gravels and beach gravels in the Pohang and its surrounding areas. Seventeen gravel textural parameters are divided into 5 groups based on R-mode factor analysis. Among them, three parameters (RDm, MPSm, SZstd) are selected for a test of discriminant possibility of palaeoenvironment of the terrace gravel deposits. Marine gravels are in the range of 0.49 to 0.75 in mean roundness, 0.46 to 0.78 in mean maximum projection sphericity and 0.39 to 1.85 in standard deviation of size, whereas river gravels are 0.28 to 0.51 in mean roundness, 0.66 to 0.72 in mean maximum projection sphericity and 1.04 to 1.81 in standard deviation of size. For practical access to the palaeoenvironment discrimination, a bivariant diagram between mean roundness and mean maximum projection sphericity is the most effective. The marine terrace gravels are plotted within the variation range of present beach gravels and show 0.49 to 0.71 in mean roundness and 0.59 to 0.66 in mean maximum projection sphericity. The gravels of river terrace vary within the range of gravels derived from present river bed and are characterized as 0.36 to 0.48 in mean roundness and 0.66 to 0.71 in mean maximum projection sphericity.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1991

The distribution of cryophilous arctic-alpine and alpine plants in Korea is reviewed in connection with palaeoenvironment, along with a discussion to their origins, patterns of migration, and their refugia. At present, the estimated number of Korean arctic-alpine and alpine species is 419, and this includes 75 arctic-alpine species, 239 alpine species and 105 Korean endemic alpine species. The disjunctive distribution of cryophilous arctic-alpine and alpine plants is likely to be due to first, the downslope and southward expansion of those species towards the Korean peninsula as a primary refugia from the arctic region as the Pleistocene glacial phases approached, and then their subsequent isolation upslope in mountain areas toward a secondary refugia as the interglacial and post-glacial climatic ameliorations followed; secondly, the expansion of forest tree communities on lowland and montane areas subsequent to the end of the Pleistocene has had the effect of dividing formerly high mountains as a result of the increased competition; and thirdly, the general disapperance or restriction of available habitats for arctic-alpine and alpine species because of post-glacial climatic amelioration. The existence of 139 alpine species exclusively in the north of Korea may be due to the following reasons; first, frequent exchanges of alpine floras with other neighbouring East Asian regions would have been facilitated; secondly, there are numerous high mountains available for the alpine plants to survive and prosper during the post-glacial period; thirdly, the existence of easy accesses between mountains within the north, which has enabled alpine floras to migrate when necessary; and finally, the availability of diverse environments and habitats for the alpine flora of the north. However, the continued survival of those species in Korea at the world's or East Asia's southernmost limits of their distribution for many species is in danger if global warming associated with the greenhouse effect takes place.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.262-270
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• 2019

The stable isotopic composition of bone collagen plays an important role in reconstructing palaeodiet, nutrition, palaeoenvironment and their lifestyle. This is the first case in extracting palaeodietary information and breastfeeding pattern of Goryeo people using stable isotope analysis due to the lack of human remains in this period. We analyzed human bone collagen excavated from Gyeongju Donggung palace and Wolji pond No.3. The average values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N are as follows: (δ¹³C(‰) = -19.5 ± 0.9‰, δ¹⁵N(‰) = 11.1 ± 1.1 ‰, (n = 4). Stable carbon isotope values shows a mainly C₃ based diet such as rice and barley. Stable nitrogen isotope results implies the protein sources attributed to terrestrial animals. There are various age groups in this study, which are adult, child and infant. Two individuals within early childhood age ranges (< 3 years) shows more elevated δ¹⁵N values than that of adult and this result implies the continuation of breastfeeding in this group until the age of 3. The results provide new insight into the breastfeeding pattern of Goryeo people, where breastfeeding and weaning practices have important implication for fertility, population dynamics, migration pattern and disease.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2017

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope results recorded in human bone reflects palaeodiet, nutrition, subsistence and palaeoenvironment. We analyzed the remains of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, who live at around $6^{th}$ century, excavated from stone chambers and stone-lined tombs. The following results of the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were obtained: ${\delta}^{13}C=-19.5{\pm}0.7$‰, ${\delta}^{15}N=9.6{\pm}0.7$‰, (n=9). The value for stable carbon isotopes indicates that the Naju Yeongdong-ri people had a largely $C_3$-based diet such as rice, barley, and beans. On the other hand, the value for stable nitrogen isotopes reflect the consumption of terrestrial animal protein. This study presents new information on the dietary patterns of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, whose tombs were similar to the Baekje tomb style and their burial type was much like the one followed by the indigenous people of the Yeongsan river basin.