A Preliminary Study on Cultural Diversity in the Jungwon Region through the Chungju Luam-ri Tombs

The Chungju Luam-ri tombs provide valuable insights into the cultural diversity of the Jungwon Region during the Three Kingdoms period. This area witnessed successive occupations by different polities, and King Jinheung’s policy of population resettlement (samin, 徙民) in particular resulted in significant cultural changes in Chungju. This study examines the Luam-ri tomb cluster in order to identify and analyze such cultural diversity. The tombs can be categorized by construction methods, and several features—such as rectangular stone chamber structures, paved stone floors, and east–west oriented burials— are rarely found in other parts of the Jungwon Region. Pottery inscribed with the “#”-shaped symbol further illustrates close connections with the Silla central elite. At the same time, certain tombs yielded atypical elements, including iron ingots, large-ringed earrings, and Daegaya-style pottery, as well as unusual practices such as composite corpse beds or the use of river gravels. These variations reflect the interplay of multiple groups—including the Silla central elite, Daegaya immigrants, and indigenous local communities—who together shaped the cultural landscape of the region. The evidence suggests that interpretations of Jungwon Region culture should focus not only on the material influx of dominant states but also on the people who continuously inhabited the area. Cultural diversity emerged through the persistence of earlier traditions, the introduction of new elements, and their subsequent integration, all mediated by local actors. Such an approach allows a more nuanced understanding of the composite and dynamic nature of Jungwon culture.