Early Historic Overseas Exchanges in Tamra, Jeju

Summary

Overseas exchanges are a key interest in Jeju archaeology as several sites there document intricate networks in early historical periods. The term "Tamra" is first appeared in the "Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdom, 1145)," and is widely believed to refer political entities in Jeju. In archaeology, "Tamra" often refers to the period from c. 200 BC to AD 1105, and if further divided into three phases. The Tamra Formation period (200 BC–AD 200) marks a population increase and increasing social distinction among settlements. The Early Tamra period (AD 200–500), contemporaneous with the Three Kingdom period in mainland Korea, documents the integration of regional cultures, as manifested in the wide spread of the Gwakjiri-style material culture. The Late Tamra period (AD 500–1105) is recorded in early historical texts as a small state. Throughout the Tamra period, several sites show imported materials, including both utilitarian and prestigious goods. For example, the Formation period sites yield jade rings and Han Dynasty coins, while the Early Tamra sites reveal the Chinese celadon. The shift in trading patterns during the Tamra period reflects changes in social dynamics acorss the seas and rising social complexity in Jeju.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Island Archaeology in East Asian Perspectives   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15770