Ancient Kiln Site

[Anchor Lead]

An ancient kiln site where blue celadon was made has been discovered in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do Province. Experts say the site was probably created before the Goryeo period.

[Pkg]

This rural village is located 300 meters above sea level. At the foot of the mountain, numerous pieces of indigo celadon are scattered around an empty site. Many of the pieces are broken saggars that were used to bake high-end celadon. The early kiln site made of bricks has been found to measure 21 meters in length.

[Soundbite] Cho Myung-il(Kunsan Nat'l Univ. Museum) : "Brick kilns were the very first kilns to be used in celadon production in Korea."

Experts believe that the site was created during King Gyeonhwon's reign of the late Baekje period, when the kingdom was engaged in vigorous commerce with China's Wuyue Kingdom, the cradle of celadon.

[Soundbite] Kwak Jang-keun(Curator, Kunsan Nat'l Univ. Museum) : "If this discovery is found to have something to do with the late Baekje period, it will probably mean that celadon was first produced in Korea much earlier than has been previously thought."

However, more evidence is required, as Goryeo has been regarded as the origin of Korean celadon for more than 100 years since Japanese colonial rule.

[Soundbite] Um Ki-il(Curator, Jinan History Museum) : "Research into celadon and kilns still lags behind. If more comprehensive research is conducted, we can find out when the first celadon was produced and how it spread to other regions."

With the discovery of early-period celadon and brick pieces, discussions on whenceladon was first produced on the Korean Peninsula are expected to gain pace.