The Beginning of Mahan, the Mangyeong River, and Geumma

In the Mangyeong River basin, one can observe the establishment, development, integration, and disappearance of the early Iron Age culture from the 4th to 3rd centuries BC to the turn of the era. Representative material cultures of this period include clay pottery, long bronze swords, and iron products found nationwide. The region, especially the Mangyeong River basin, was at the core of the early Iron Age culture, where bronze production technology rapidly advanced, and primitive iron culture coexisted. Notably, the areas with the highest density of relics are in present-day Iksan, Wanju, and Jeonju. A significant shift occurred in the 2nd century BC. In the first half of this century, based on the technology exemplified by bell-shaped vessels, bronze-making technology peaked, establishing the area as a center of importance. In the latter half, the size of relics grew, social stratification accelerated, and bronze burial mounds with vast artifacts disappeared, replaced by the appearance of iron artifacts. Thus, the symbols of power for the top ruling class, represented by long bronze swords, shifted to iron, reflecting a change in the societal structure. The most pivotal point in the early Iron Age can be pegged to the 2nd century BC, which is directly linked to the arrival of King Jun. Relics related to the time of King Jun's arrival are most densely distributed in Iksan, Wanju, and Jeonju. If we categorize based on the distribution pattern of the relics, rather than the current administrative districts, the areas can be divided into: the western region of Miruksan centered on Hamyeol, Hwangdeung, and Osan; the western region of Hwangbangsan and southern region of Miruksan centered on Geumma, Wanggung, and the western Wanju; and the area covering Jeonju and the eastern Hwangbangsan, including Jeonjucheon and Gosancheon streams. The central points of these regions can be redefined as Iksan, Geumma, and Jeonju. While many tasks remain to be addressed, based on currently available literary records and archaeological investigations, the area with the highest concentration of relics from the 2nd century BC related to King Jun's arrival can be identified as the Geumma.