A Multiscalar Approach to Dolmens Patterns in the Paju

Through a multiscalar approach to the distribution patterns of dolmens in the Paju zone, it was confirmed that the dolmens in this area are not merely an archaeological phenomenon confined to a limited spatial unit but are a political product formed through varying scales and degrees of interaction across diverse spatial units. At a global level, an analysis of the number, density, and distribution of residential sites of dolmen groups in the Seoul metropolitan area revealed that Paju, along with Ganghwa and Gimpo, formed a broad dolmen culture in the northwestern Gyeonggi region. The dolmens in this space exhibit a distinct tendency toward clustering and form independent dense zones. This characteristic distinguishes the region from others, suggesting that the complexity of local communities likely developed in a differentiated manner through the medium of dolmens. This developmental pattern was also observed at a regional level. In the northwestern Gyeonggi region, including Paju, dolmens are clearly categorized into large, medium, and small clusters, with small table-type dolmens predominantly distributed on mountain summits and ridges. In contrast, the Hantan River basin shows a pattern of isolated altar-type table dolmens, often constructed on flat terrain. These distribution patterns can be associated with the structuring of local societies, the reinforcement of community identity, and land ownership. At a local level, the distribution patterns of dolmens in the lower reaches of the Gokneungcheon and Munsancheon rivers in Paju were examined. The lower Gokneungcheon area hosts approximately 100 dolmens, with table-type dolmen clusters located on mountain summits or ridges. This selective choice of location likely reflects a political intent to emphasize the presence of influential figures and to strengthen the identity and cohesion of local communities through the creation of a new burial ritual landscape, particularly during the mid-Bronze Age when the influx of external cultures intensified. In the case of the Deokeulli dolmen group in the lower Munsancheon area, the arrangement and visibility of table-type dolmens along mountain ridges and summits served as a medium for maintaining social order.