Seoul National Museum of Korea, Seoul
The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea.
The National Museum of Korea: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
The National Museum of Korea, Seoul
The main exhibition of the museum is to show the states (or nations) existed in Korean peninsula from the prehistoric time to about early 1900s.
The artifacts in the exhibitions are found in the Korean peninsula.
The Paleolithic Age stonework. The Paleolithic Age is a time before 12,000 years ago.
The Neolithic age starts about 10,000 ago. The stonework below is used about that time.
Ornaments and arts also start to show up.
The Bronze age started about 3500 years ago.
Stone axe.
Stone dagger
Stone tools and arrows
The Gojoseon State
During this time of the Bronze Age, the first state appeared in Korean Peninsula. The name of the state is Gojoseon which controlled the northwest region of the Korean peninsula. This state stayed until 108 BCE, about 2000 years ago.
Jade ornament.
Potteries of Gojoseon
Bronze dagger, iron sword, iron axes, iron spearhead, and a jar.
After the fall of Gojeseon in 108 BCE, seven different states were vying for power.
Food culture
Ornaments
Bronzewares
Potteries
Coins
Writing utensils
The Goguryeo State
Buddhism was introduced to Goguryeo in the year 375.
Shoes
Bronze jar with handle
Gilt-Bronze Crown
Bronze Bowl
Painting on a wall in Gangseodaemyo tomb.
Next is the Baekje State. Three large states, Goguryeo, Baekje, Shilla, and a small state, Gaya, coexisted in the Korean peninsula from 0 CE to about 700 CE.
The map shows the relative position of all four states.
Stone ritual artifacts
Celadon wares
Gold diadem ornaments
Jar and pottery stand
Writings
Bronze coffin ornaments
The Gaya State
Gaya potteries
Gold crown
Gold ornaments
Figurative earthenware
Armors
The Silla State
Gold crown and girdle
Iron saw knives
Necklaces
Swords
Horse equipment
Gold crown ornament and a cap
Gold Bowls
Gilt-bronze crown
Writings
The Balhae State
Architecture of Balhae
The Unified Silla State
The Shilla state conquered all the other states in the Korean peninsula and created the United Shilla in around 670 CE.
The Unified Shilla adopted Buddhism as the national religion.
The Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism
Ritual bottle
Jars and bowls
Zodiacal Figurines
Seated iron Buddha
The Goryeo State
The Goryeo state started small but eventually overthrew the Unified Shilla state and became the ruler of the Korean peninsula. The name Korea is from the name of Goryeo.
Celadon jar
Mirror and utilities used for makeup
Gilt bronze Buddhism figure
A tribute to a deceased king, 1146 CE.
Goryeo received Confucius rituals and protocols. The ornaments below show the hierarchy of the wearer.
More jars and bowls
Artifacts from Goryeo tombs
The work becomes more specialized by region.
Common people wares
Mirrors
Food bowls
Spoons
The ‘Bok’ metal type, Goryeo Dynasty period.
Printed from the wood printing technology, Palman Daejanggyeong, 13th century.
The Chronicles of Three Countries, written around the 1140s.
Vairocana Buddha
Wind bells
Collection of Yi Saek’s Works, 15th-16th century.
Collections of Jeong DoJeon’s Works
The Joseon State
The Joseon state was created out of weakened Goryeo state
The portrait of the first king of Joseon
A model for king’s throne
War weapons
The record of war with Japan in late 1500s.
A novel on the war with Japan, late 17th century.
The Constellations chart, 18th century.
The map of Asia, the early 1400s.
The first book ever written in Hangul, the Korean language.
Burial goods
Principles and practice of Eastern Medicine, the early 1600s.
Medicine mortar
Hanguja movable type
Anybody who carries this wooden item has the right to borrow as many horses written in the item.
More accurate map, in 18th century.
Decorated white porcelains in 19th century.
White porcelain with a dragon, in 18th century.
Movable type printing on paper in 1797 CE.
