Earthenware Found in the Fortress

Earthenware refers to pottery, whether glazed or unglazed, that is non-vitreous in nature. It served a multitude of purposes, from everyday use to various ceremonial rituals. Due to its extensive production and long-lasting preservation, earthenware is one of the most commonly unearthed artifacts during archaeological excavations.

In particular, the earthenware found in Pungnaptoseong Fortress astonished people, not only because of its quantity but also due to its remarkable quality. They show the excellent earthenware production techniques of the masters in Hanseong, enabling the experts to determine if the earthenware found in another region was made locally or imported from Hanseong.

Take a closer look at earthenware pottery. The early 3rd-century earthenware, with its distinctive orange color, reveals insights into the production process. The color of earthenware reflects the conditions during firing, and in the case of the orange pottery, it suggests that oxygen entered the kiln during the firing process, leading to oxidation over time. In contrast, earthenware produced in the 5th century typically appears grey, indicating that the kiln had insufficient oxygen during firing.

Earthenware comes in diverse styles. If you look at the shape of these pottery pieces, you will find dishes with a thick leg, some featuring short, straight necked with ball-shaped body, and others with three legs and a dish-shaped body. In particular, the 'half-shaped three-legged earthenware', which upper part resembles a small bowl, was popular exclusively during the Hanseong Baekje period and is considered as a representative artifact of that era.