The Operation and Characteristics of Goryeo Early Celadon Kiln Sites: Focusing on Brick Kiln Celadon Sites

“Goryeo celadon kiln site” refers to the remains of sites where various types of celadon, including the bowl with a halo-shaped foot, were produced during the early stages of celadon production in Korea. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the Gangjin Yongun-ri No. 9 and 10, Gochang Yonggye-ri, and Yongin Seo-ri sites were excavated, and research was conducted on the date of appearance and comparisons with Yue ware in China, as well as the evolution of the celadon bowl with a halo-shaped foot. After the 1990s, when the early celadon brick kilns in Wonsan-ri, Baecheon, and Bangsan-dong, Siheung, were investigated, more detailed research on the kiln’s structure and excavated objects has been conducted. Since the 2010s, early celadon kiln sites such as have been rediscovered or newly investigated. Specifically, in Yonggye-ri, Gochang, and Seo-ri, Yongin, new materials such as kilns and sedimentary layers, as well as other related facilities such as surrounding building sites have been uncovered, shedding light on the operation and characteristics of early celadon. The celadon kilns of the early Goryeo period were located in mountainous regions, and the range of the kiln site was confined to the local region. The kiln site is typically surrounded by large or small mountains and is located at the bottom of a mountain slope. On the flat surface area beneath the kiln site, facilities such as workshops and construction sites were located. This article examines the current state of excavation research to determine the locations of the celadon sites during the early Goryeo period as well as the systems of operation of the kilns and disposal sites. The celadon kilns of the early Goryeo period were located in mountainous regions, and the range of the kiln site was confined to the local region. The kiln site is typically surrounded by large or small mountains and is located at the bottom of a mountain slope. On the flat surface area beneath the kiln site, facilities such as workshops and construction sites were located. Early Goryeo celadon kiln sites were dispersed over an area between 2,000 and 5,000㎡ containing the kilnand disposal area. The kilns were renovated and repaired multiple times, the combustion chambers were relocated, portions of the previous kilns were demolished, and new kilns were constructed on a saggar sedimentary layer above the previous kiln. Even though the area was surrounded by the same terrain for several kilometers, kilns and disposal sites operated within a restricted area. This system of operation of kilns and disposal sites is distinct from that of mid-century Goryeo celadon sites. The operations of the early Goryeo celadon sites are believed to be very closely related to the tiled building sites created in the flat part of the kiln and the disposal site. Only a few specific sites, including the early celadon brick kiln site and the mid-century Goryeo celadon sites in Gangjin and Buan. However, based on the “Taepyeong Imsul” tiles excavated in Yonggye-ri, Gochang, it is assumed that this tile-roofed building site was a monitoring facility of the kiln site able to quickly reflect the decisions of the Goryeo court.