Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan
Neolithic (7000–1000 BCE)·Korean Neolithic whalers·🇰🇷 Ulsan, Eonyang, Daegokcheon Stream, Ban-gu-dae, South Korea
About
About Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan
Korea's NE whaling cliff discovered 1971, UNESCO tentative 2002, world's densest whale hunt rock art. Recorded context — Period: Neolithic (7000–1000 BCE); Culture: Korean Neolithic whalers; Field status: partially excavated; Materials: sandstone cliff; Condition: seasonally flooded.
Why it mattersKey Korean Neolithic whalers rock-art with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Elite residence
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 7000 BCE earliest; 3000 BCE whales
- Period
- Neolithic (7000–1000 BCE)
- Culture
- Korean Neolithic whalers
- Purpose
- Earliest whaling art in world — 300 figures with harpoons, whales, turtles and boats 20 m cliff
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1866
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 7000 BCE earliest; 3000 BCE whales
Initial construction / first occupation at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan
On the ground
Structures & features
35.6020° N · 129.1770° E · 85 m · 4 mapped features
- Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — hydraulic feature35.6032° N · 129.1776° E
- Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — Northern Complexcomplexcomplex at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — outlier feature35.6006° N · 129.1768° E
- Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — primary structure35.6018° N · 129.1783° E
- Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — Eastern Structurestructurestructure at Bangudae Petroglyphs — Whaling Cliff Ulsan — outlier feature35.6033° N · 129.1762° E
Gallery