Gojoseon’s Huge Leap to the Production of bronze Ware

[Narration]
Let us look at Korean bronze ware now. This room exhibits artifacts from the Korean Bronze Age. Bronze swords are the most representative items of the Korean Bronze Age. First, I’d like to draw your attention to the violin-shaped sword on your left. This sword was made in the Early Bronze Age in a Chinese province bordering the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.

[Visitor]
Um, I am confused. Doesn’t that mean it is Chinese?

[Narration]
Not exactly. During the Bronze Age, Korea was so powerful that it occupied some parts of main land China where this sword was made.

[Visitor]
But as China is geographically close to Korea, I guess Chinese techniques and styles must have influenced Korean bronze ware, just like they influenced Korean earthenware in the Neolithic Period.

[Narration]
No, they didn’t. While Chinese bronze swords were made as a single piece, the blade and hilt of Korean bronze swords were constructed separately. You can see this feature on the bottom of the sword.

[Visitor]
Ah, I see. This sword looks unique but I doubt that it was very useful, was it?

[Narration]
Ah, that is because the sword was not meant to be practical or functional. In the Bronze Age, powerful men carried these swords at their sides as a symbol of power. That’s why the swords were designed far more for appearance than for functionality. In Korea, functional bronze sword-making began during the Late Bronze Age. You can see some examples of these on the right. Comparatively, they have sharper and straighter blades.