The Practice of Casting Korean Bronze Dagger-Axes with Clay Moulds and Funnel Core : Focusing on the Artifact Excavated from the Stone-Piled Wooden Coffi n Tomb at the Hoam-dong I-2 Site, Chungju

The bronze dagger‐axe (donggwa, 銅戈) excavated from the stone‐piled wooden coffi n tomb at the Hoam-dong I-2 site in Chungju represents one of the earliest examples of its type in Korea. Detailed observation of the inner socket (nae, 內) reveals distinctive structural characteristics that differ from other known specimens, providing crucial evidence for reconstructing early bronze casting techniques. The shape of the socket indicates that the implement was produced with a funnel system featuring twin gates for metal infl ow and gas exhaust. Traces of casting fi ns along the inner groove demonstrate that the funnel was not cast as a single unit but as a paired, two-piece mould (ssanghapbeom, 雙合範). Comparative analysis of both moulds excavated from Wanju Galdong Tomb No. 1 and the presumed Yeongam specimen in the Soongsil University Museum suggests that bronze dagger-axes and daggers were manufactured using nearly identical techniques within the same workshops. The study further infers that other weapons such as bronze spearheads and axes—whether equipped with a socket or not—were also cast through comparable funnel systems, suggesting shared technological traditions among contemporary artisans. Particularly noteworthy is the Pyeongtaek Jagyo-ri specimen, which retains traces indicating the use of a clay mould. This evidence demonstrates that clay moulds and detachable funnels were commonly employed in the manufacture of Korean bronze weapons by the stage of Bronze Mirror with Fine Linear Design. The findings highlight the need to reconsider the technological complexity of early Korean bronze production and to pay attention to such ancillary devices as casting models, clay moulds, clay funnels and funnel cores for forming those pouring funnels that no longer survive but are essential for understanding the craftsmanship of the Bronze Age.