• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.38-53
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• 2022

In this article, I have summarized and reviewed the concepts and terms surrounding the stamped construction technique, focusing on earthen walls in the Three Kingdoms period. This is because confusion is caused by defining the nature of the earthen walls by using various concepts and terms for each researcher regarding the substance and construction method of the earthen walls. The stamped earth method is a representative ancient civil engineering or construction technique in which a frame is made of plates to form a fortress wall, a fence, and the base of a building, and then soil or sand is poured into it layer by layer and then stamped with a bat to make it solid. Therefore, in order to prove that the earthen wall was built by the stamped earth method, evidence such as a narrow plate, a column for fixing it, long horizontal and vertical wood pieces to support the narrow plate, and traces of pounding the soil must be detected. However, in Korea, there are very few cases where such evidence has been fully excavated, so it is necessary to agree on how strictly the standards for the stamped earth method will be applied. The terms related to the stamped technique mobilized for the construction of the earthen walls were explained with actual examples by dividing the terms related to the concept into terms related to the principle and unit of the stamped plate, and the specific stamped technology. In particular, in Pungnabtoseong Earthen wall, a variety of typical and diverse methods of building the ancient stamped earthen wall were identified so that decisive data could be secured to understand the principles and techniques of the stamped earthen wall. In the future, a more general understanding of the stamped technique will be possible only when more evidence related to it is found in relics other than Pungnabtoseong Earthen wall.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.324-332
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• 2012

Construction era of Pungnabtoseong earthen wall is one of the most popular controversial issues in Korean archaeological research. For the evaluation of construction era, OSL dating was carried out using seven pottery pieces collected in each construction stage. From TL/OSL characteristics, and the results of absolute zeroing test and recovery test, it was proved that the pottery samples were completely bleached. The reliable paleodose was evaluated by using the SAR method with preheat at $220^{\circ}C$, and the pottery OSL age was determined from the ratio of paleodose to annual dose rate. Considering the resultant OSL ages, archaeological context and the related 14C ages, the first construction era was determined as $294{\pm}52$ yrs AD ($1{\sigma}$ SE). Also we found that the enlargement of construction stage III was $328{\pm}30$ yrs AD ($1{\sigma}$ SE) and final construction was finished within $400{\pm}76$ yrs AD ($1{\sigma}$ SE). Therefore, it is suggested that the construction of Pungnabtoseong earthen wall was firstly started in the late $3^{rd}$ century AD and several enlargements and repairs had been carried out, before the transfer of the capital of Baekje dynasty to Woongjin (Gongju) at 475 AD.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.102-115
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• 2014

The stamped earth method is a typical ancient engineering technique which consists of in-filling wooden frame with layers of stamped earth or sand. This method has been universally used to construct earthen walls and buildings, etc. The purpose of this article is to understand the construction method and principles of the stamped earthen wall through analysis of various construction techniques of Pungnaptoseong Fortress(Earthen Fortification in Pungnap-dong). First of all, the ground was leveled and the foundations for the construction of the earthen wall were laid. The underground foundation of the earthen walls was usually constructed by digging into the ground and then in-filling this space with layers of mud clay. Occasionally wooden posts or paving stones which may have been used to reinforce the soft ground were driven in. The method of adding layers of stamped earth at an oblique angle to either side of a central wall is the most characteristic feature of Pungnaptoseong Fortress. Even though the traces of fixing posts, boards, and the hardening of earth - all signatures of the stamped earth technique - have not been identified, evidence of a wooden frame has been found. It has also been observed that this section was constructed by including layers of mud clay and organic remains such as leaves and twigs in order to strengthen the adhesiveness of the structures. The outer part of the central wall was constructed by the anti-slope stamped earth technique to protect central wall. In addition a final layer of paved stones was added to the upper part of the wall. These stone layers and the stone wall were constructed in order to prevent the loss of the earthen wall and to discharge and drain water. Meanwhile, the technique of cementing with fire was used to control damp and remove water in stamped earth. It can not be said at present that the stamped earth method has been confirmed as the typical construction method of Korean ancient earthen walls. If we make a comparative study of the evidence of the stamped earth technique at Pungnaptoseong Fortress with other archeological sites, progress will be made in the investigation of the construction method and principles of stamped earthen wall.