- Title : Examining Prehistoric and Ancient Ulleungdo Island in its Geographic and Historic Context: with focus on its role in Trans-East Sea Exchange
- Author : KO Ilhong, CHOI Youngeun, HAN Jisun
- Journal : The Korean Cultural Studies (KCS)
- Publication Date : December, 2021
- Abstract
Ulleungdo, along with its 44 attached islands, constitutes the only island group in the East Sea, and its importance in terms of its geopolitical location its role in the maritime transportation network have been noted. On the other hand, it has also often been regarded as an isolated island in the middle of the wide East Sea. This paper adopts a network perspective in order to explore how the creation of a ‘link’ to Ulleungdo, which can be viewed as an ‘isolated node’, may act to increase network connectivity in the western region of the Pan East Sea region and therfore create a ‘small world’. First, in order to secure an in-depth understanding of maritime exchange in the western part of the Pan East Sea region (which includes Ulleungdo), a diachronic examination of the evidence of ancient exchange that took place along the East Coast was carried out. Then, focusing on Ulleungdo connectivity, the archaeological and textual evidence relating to Ulleungdo was reviewed, and Ulleungdo’s status in the Pan East Sea exchange network was reconfirmed. In particular, the Silla tombs distributed in Ulleungdo were analyzed and the background or their appearance, as well as their lineage, were reviewed. Isabu’s conquest of this island in 512 CE and the state of the indigenous people of Ulleungdo prior to interaction with Silla was reviewed. Finally, the research history and related material evidence concerning the Pan East Sea route passing through Ulleungdo and Dokdo were reviewed. Through this, the understanding of the communication and connectivity of Ulleungdo was enhanced, and the role of the island in the dynamics of the East Sea exchange was promoted. In addition, a strategy for expanding the value of Ulleungdo’s cultural heritage was suggested.
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