A bronze gunpowder weapon, long buried beneath Naju's Geumsongsan, has been unearthed. The body of the weapon features an inscription with 28 characters stating, 'Hwangja Hwatong was made in the 12th month of the Jeongsa year.' The 'Jeongsa year' is estimated to refer to either 1377 during the Goryeo Dynasty or 1437 during the Joseon Dynasty. Regardless of the exact date, this artifact is the earliest confirmed gunpowder weapon found in South Korea.
On September 21, the Cultural Heritage Administration's National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Naju Cultural Heritage Research Institute held a press conference at the National Palace Museum in Seoul to present their findings on the Hwangja Hwatong discovered in Naju.
The Hwangja Hwatong measures 23.75 cm in length, has a diameter of 1.66 cm, and weighs 1,032 grams. The term 'Hwatong' refers to a type of gunpowder weapon from the Goryeo period, while during the Joseon period, it was commonly referred to as 'Chongtong.'
The inscription on the artifact reads, 'In the 12th month of the Jeongsa year, the Hwangja Hwatong was made, weighing 1 geun and 14 yang. The supervisor was An Hyubo, and the craftsman was Seok.' This serves as a record of its creation, detailing the date, weight, supervisor, and craftsman.
The key point is the 'Jeongsa year.' Researchers narrowed it down to two possibilities, 1377 and 1437, based on historical records and the development of gunpowder weapons. The year 1377 marks the establishment of the Hwatongdogam, which initiated state-level production of gunpowder weapons following a proposal by Choi Mu-seon. The year 1437 corresponds to a period of active improvements in gunpowder weapons under King Sejong. While there is insufficient comparative material to definitively determine the year, both dates precede the standardization of new weapon forms in 1445.
The design of the artifact also supports its classification as an early firearm. The interior of the 'yak-tong' (powder chamber) is rounded, differing from the improved firearms of the Sejong era that utilized a wooden plug to transmit the explosive force to the projectile. Researchers believe it is a model predating the Sejong improvements, while also considering the possibility that the previous design persisted for some time, keeping both 1377 and 1437 as potential dates.
The Hwangja Hwatong is believed to have been loaded with gunpowder and projectiles, ignited at the fuse to fire. It likely operated as a single-shot weapon, although the possibility of using multiple small arrows cannot be ruled out. This small firearm, portable for individuals, represents a shift in warfare, moving beyond reliance on bows and swords to harnessing the explosive power of gunpowder.
Scientific analysis confirmed that the Hwangja Hwatong is a bronze casting primarily composed of copper, tin, and lead. The tin content is under 10%, ensuring strength and ductility to withstand explosions. Impurities such as sulfur, silicon, and silver, remnants from the smelting process, further support its classification as a traditionally cast bronze artifact.
The Hwangja Hwatong was discovered in November 2023 while detecting an 'unidentified minefield' ahead of trail construction on Geumsongsan. A mine detector responded about 10 cm below the surface under a rock. The Naju Research Institute conducted scientific analyses and expert consultations over approximately three years to verify the inscription, production date, and authenticity. The rarity of accurately identified excavation sites for ancient gunpowder weapons adds to its significance.
Geumsongsan was a military strategic point overlooking the Yeongsan River and Naju Plain. Historical records indicate that Naju suffered significant damage from a Japanese pirate invasion in 1376, leading to the establishment of the Hwatongdogam in 1377 based on Choi Mu-seon's proposal. In 1378, records also mention the deployment of 'Hwatongbangsagun,' specialized troops handling firearms at key local bases. If the Hwangja Hwatong was made in 1377, it may relate to the distribution of gunpowder weapons to defend against Japanese pirates. However, researchers noted the absence of direct records explaining how the Hwangja Hwatong ended up on Geumsongsan, indicating the need for further study.
Heo Min, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, stated, 'The history of our gunpowder weapons, which began with the establishment of the Hwatongdogam at the end of the Goryeo period, saw significant advancements during the extensive improvements in firearms under King Sejong. However, this process has been conveyed primarily through written records, with few physical artifacts remaining. The Hwangja Hwatong is a crucial clue to confirming the early history of our gunpowder weapons and how the technology has evolved.'
Researchers plan to further clarify the exact year of production, manufacturing techniques, and actual usage methods. They will also conduct academic conferences and projectile reproduction experiments. The Hwangja Hwatong will be publicly displayed at the National Palace Museum from September 23 to November 22. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to showcase it at the International Ground Defense Industry Exhibition in December.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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