The “Research on the Late Baekje Royal Palace” project aims to identify the nature and chronological change of the late Baekje royal palace. Through excavations, historical research, and detailed analysis of unearthed artifacts, the project seeks to reconstruct the structure and construction techniques of Baekje’s architectural features, artifact production technologies, and aspects of daily life. To foster public engagement with these research findings, the project offers tangible public outreach programs and provides access to excavation sites.
Delving into Baekje – Archaeological Excavations
Excavations at several World Heritage Sites—Busosanseong Fortress, Buyeo; the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo; and the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, Iksan—have been conducted to uncover Baekje’s royal palace during the Sabi phase. In the Gunchangji section of Busosanseong Fortress, researchers identified a Baekje-era pillar-wall building feature, a Gulipju (pit-driven-post) building feature, five wajeok (roof tiles- stacked stylobate) building feature, and a well. Additionally, over 1,000 pieces of Baekje earthenware were discovered in the lower strata. At the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo, 104 features were unearthed, including a large core building feature extending 60 meters in the north-south direction, believed to be associated with a royal palace from the late Sabi phase. At the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, Iksan, trial excavations of the outside of the eastern palace wall (near the east gate site) revealed a palace wall (building feature with foundation stones), suggesting the presence of features beyond the palace wall.
Diving Deeper into Baekje – Restoration, Historical Research, and In-depth Studies
Based on excavation results, we conducted comprehensive research on Baekje’s ruins, features, and artifacts. In collaboration with NRICH’s Research Division of Architectural Heritage, we performed an archaeological and architectural review, which included an overview of the building sites from Baekje’s Wungjin and Sabi phases, the definition and classification of pillar-wall building sites, as well as an examination of construction units. To study and restore the topography of Baekje’s capital city, we conducted a precise LiDAR survey of the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, Iksan. We also digitized topography and cadastral maps from the Japanese occupation period, creating advanced datasets to reconstruct historical topographic changes. Additionally, we co- hosted a special exhibition titled “Baekje Wooden Tablet” with the Buyeo National Museum and published a book on wooden tablets excavated from the Sabi capital city.
Reaching out to Baekje – Participatory Public Outreach
Alongside our academic excavations, we implemented on-site career experience program entitled: “Becoming an Archaeologist – In Search of the Sabi Royal Palace” for elementary and middle school students in Buyeo. In July, as part of Baekje Cultural Heritage Week, we launched the “Stroll Around Baekje: Sabi Royal Palace Walking Challenge,” a smartphone-based walking experience accessible to all residents. This program attracted approximately 8,000 participants and was notably voted the most popular among the 22 programs offered during Baekje Cultural Heritage Week.
Key achievements
KIM Daeyoung and HAN Wook, 2023, “An Opinion on the Classification and Restoration of Baekje Pillar-Wall Building Sites from the Baekje Sabi Period,” Hoseo Archaeological Journal 42; “Restoration of Buyeo’s Architectural Structure in the Sabi Period,” Hoseo Archaeological Society Conference
SHIM Sangyuk, 2023, “Excavation Status and Distribution of Baekje Wooden Tablets in Buyeo” Wooden Tablets and Characters , No. 30; “The Timeline of Sabi Capital City Construction,” Academic Conference on Issues of Baekje History; “Excavation Status and Distribution of Baekje Wooden Tablets in Buyeo,” Baekje Wooden Tablets Academic Symposium
SHIN Hayoung and SONG Areum, 2023, “Changes in the Form and Function of Stone Arrowheads in the Yeongsan River Basin,” Honam Archaeological Journal , No. 75 KIM Sookyung 2023, “A Study of the Architecture of Silla’s Sacheonwangsa Temple,” Silla Culture 62
KIM Daeyoung and CHO Undeuk, 2023, “The Types and Development of Late Baekje (Woongjin-Sabi Period) Pillar-Wall Building Site,” Collaborative Research on Ancient Architectural Ruins
SONG Areum, 2023, “Issues and Challenges of Research on the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, Iksan,” Cultural Heritage Administration Conference
