On Archaeology of Fuyu (Puyŏ)

The article provides a brief overview of concepts related to the search for the archaeological substratum of the Fuyu people and the established early medieval Fuyu (Puyŏ) state, which were narrated by almost contemporaneous Chinese chronicles and later Korean written sources. The main problem lies in defining the reference archaeological sites for the Fuyu culture, to which Maoershan, Laoheshen, and Lamadong cemeteries are currently attributed. However, the ethnocultural attribution of the Laoheshen and Lamadong cemeteries remains debatable; their affiliation with Xianbei is not excluded. A full report of the Maoershen excavations has not yet been published, which situation hampered interpretation of the relevant data. In addition, the materials of these cemeteries contain significant admixtures and/or influences of other cultures (ethnic groups): primarily, the Xianbei, as well as Han and probably Goguryeo. Another important problem is to identify the origins of Fuyu culture. At present, the Xituanshan, Baijinbao, and the 2nd period of Hanshu cultures are considered as the most probable Fuyu ancestors, which idea does not entirely conform to written sources. A significant contribution to the study of this situation was made by the American researcher Mark Byington, although some of his conclusions are controversial. In addition, since the publication of his monograph, new archaeological sites have been discovered and their interpretation proposed. Thus, the problem of ethnocultural and ethnopolitical attribution of archaeological complexes of Manchuria and northern Korea remains relevant, in particular for the comparison with materials from neighboring regions of Siberia and Russian Far East

Archaeology · Historiography · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Japanese History and Culture · Vietnamese History and Culture Studies · Geology · Paleontology