Dongsam-dong Shell Midden

Welcome to the Dongsam-dong Shell Mound Exhibition Hall, situated on the ruggedly beautiful Yeongdo Island in the southern port city of Busan. As you stand near the entrance, take a deep breath of the salty sea breeze and listen…

Step out into the grassy area that marks the boundaries of the original archaeological pits. The quiet, manicured atmosphere of this outdoor space today belies the turbulent and highly dramatic history of its discovery. …

Now that we have moved indoors, please direct your attention to the massive, vertical cross section of earth displayed before you. This towering wall of soil is a stratigraphic profile, a literal slice of time that visually…

Step further into the gallery to observe the fascinating array of organic remains recovered from the alkaline soil we just discussed. These carefully lit display cases hold the tangible, tactile remnants of daily Neolithic life. …

We now enter what is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking and consequential sections of the entire exhibition. This area is dedicated to the supreme achievement of the Dongsam-dong people, their astonishing mastery of the…

Move into this brightly lit gallery showcasing the ceramic arts of the Neolithic era. Here, the famous comb pattern pottery, known as Bitsalmunui Togi, which is the absolute hallmark of Korean prehistoric culture, is proudly…

As we transition to the next gallery, please direct your attention to the collection of dark, glassy stones illuminated under the spotlight. This remarkable material is obsidian, a type of volcanic glass highly prized in…

Finally, step into this intimate, softly lit alcove dedicated to the spiritual and ritual life of the Neolithic people. Throughout the rest of the exhibition, we have examined artifacts related to physical survival, hunting, and…

We have now reached the final, and perhaps most emotionally resonant, gallery of our tour. Until this point, we have explored how the Dongsam-dong people survived, how they ate, how they hunted, and how they traded. …

As we conclude our journey through the museum and step back out into the bright, modern sunlight of Yeongdo Island, take a moment to look out over the vast expanse of the ocean. The contrast between the ancient, silent artifacts…