A primitive cave site showing the cultural layers in the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze ages has recently been discovered in Hyangmok-ri, Kangdong County, Pyongyang.
Unearthed in the cultural layer (fourth and fifth layers) of the Paleolithic age included some 1 650 mammal fossils (animal bone fossils) in nine kinds, 16 stone tools in eight sorts and over 280 spore and pollen fossils, five teeth of ancient type of Korean and 40 pieces of earthenware in the cultural layer (sixth layer) of the Neolithic era, and more than ten earthenware pieces in the cultural layer (seventh layer) of the Bronze Age.
Researchers of the History Faculty at Kim Il Sung University have confirmed through ESR and TL date measurements that the formation of the relics dates back to 36 000-34 000 years in the later period of the Paleolithic era.
They also clarified through research into the kind, material and making style of the stone tools that the tools had widely been used in the later period of the Paleolithic era.
In addition, they explained that the teeth of an ancient Korean dug up in the layer of the Neolithic era were those of a woman in her 50s in the Neolithic era. The earthenware pieces from the cultural layers of the Neolithic and Bronze ages were also verified to be the relics in periods of abovementioned ages through research and analysis of their types, colours and patterns.
The Archaeology Society of the DPRK and the non-permanent material heritage deliberation and assessment committee deliberated on the discovery of and research into the relics before registering the cave site as one of national treasure.
In the past many relics in the Neolithic era confirming that socio-historical premises were fully created for state formation were discovered in the Kangdong area, but it is the first time to find out such relics and remains of the Paleolithic era corresponding to the dawn of human history.
The new discovery of the cave site scientifically proves that the area of Kangdong County in which Tangun, the founding father of the Korean nation, is buried is a place where the Koreans had lived since the Paleolithic era and one of the places where the historical roots of modern Koreans had taken.
1. Stone implements dating back to Paleolithic age (36 000-34 000 years ago) 1-2: scrapers, 3-7: choppers, 8: hand axe, 9-13: hunting stones, 14-16: pokers.
2. Fossil remains of mammals dating back to Paleolithic age (36 000-34 000 years ago) (1) 1-2: milk teeth of tiger (unknown species), 3: tiger’s canine tooth, 4: toe bone in a hind leg of tiger, 5: toe bone in a foreleg of tiger, 6: tiger’s humerus, 7: tiger’s big shinbone, 8-9: leopard’s ulnae, 10-12: canine teeth of brown bear, 13: upper second big molar tooth of brown bear, 14: lower second big molar tooth of brown bear,15: lower third big molar tooth of brown bear, 16: radial bone of brown bear, 17: shinbone of brown bear, 18: heel bone of brown bear.
3. Fossil remains of mammals dating back to Paleolithic age (36 000-34 000 years before) (2) 1: tooth of bicorn rhinoceros (unknown species), 2: lower jawbone of deer, 3: lower second big molar tooth of deer, 4-5: upper second big molar teeth of deer, 6: deer’s lower jawbone, 7: deer’s third toe bone, 8: deer’s heel bone, 9: deer’s anklebone, 10: deer’s sole bone in the hind leg, 11: deer’s humerus, 12: lower first big molar tooth of roe deer, 13-14: roe deer’s second toe bone,15: roe deer’s humerus, 16-17: second toe bones of red deer, 18: red deer’s humerus, 19: canine tooth of wild boar, 20: humerus of wild boar.
4. Fossil remains of mammals dating back to Paleolithic age (36 000-34 000 years back) (3) 1: right antler of deer, 2: left antler of deer.
5. Teeth of an ancient-type Korean in Neolithic age 1: lower right first small molar tooth, 2: upper right first small molar tooth, 3: upper right second small molar tooth, 4: upper left first big molar tooth, 5: upper left second big molar tooth.
6. Pieces of earthenware in Neolithic age: Broken pieces of an earthenware body made by mixing clay and sand, engraving lightning pattern and that of fir tree leaf on it and baking at low temperature.
More From Pyongyang Times
A meeting of workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) took place at the Central Hall of
July 05, 2025
A meeting of workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) took place at the Central Hall of
The 36th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK took place at the Mansudae
July 05, 2025
The 36th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK took place at the Mansudae
Thanks to the devoted efforts of officials and working people across the country, the irrigation projects for some 160 000
July 05, 2025
Thanks to the devoted efforts of officials and working people across the country, the irrigation projects for some 160 000
July 5 is the independence day of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela was the target of aggression and plunder by the
July 05, 2025
July 5 is the independence day of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela was the target of aggression and plunder by the
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in an open meeting
July 04, 2025
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in an open meeting
Lots of officials and educators visiting Moranbong Middle School No. 1, which was nominated as one of top ten informatization
July 04, 2025
Lots of officials and educators visiting Moranbong Middle School No. 1, which was nominated as one of top ten informatization
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the full
July 04, 2025
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the full
Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward the tasks facing the shipbuilding sector on June 29. The primary task to be tackled
July 04, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward the tasks facing the shipbuilding sector on June 29. The primary task to be tackled
The regional-industry factories in 20 cities and counties and the Sinpho City Offshore Farm newly built last year introduced the
July 04, 2025
The regional-industry factories in 20 cities and counties and the Sinpho City Offshore Farm newly built last year introduced the
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova returned home on July 1
July 03, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova returned home on July 1
Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in opening ceremonies of youth centres newly built in six regions of Russia through
July 03, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in opening ceremonies of youth centres newly built in six regions of Russia through
Agricultural workers in all parts of the country, who are eager to greet the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea with
July 03, 2025
Agricultural workers in all parts of the country, who are eager to greet the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea with
July 3 is the national day of the Republic of Belarus. The name Belarus is derived from the fact that its people’s skin is white
July 03, 2025
July 3 is the national day of the Republic of Belarus. The name Belarus is derived from the fact that its people’s skin is white
In the policy speech he made at the Fifth Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
July 03, 2025
In the policy speech he made at the Fifth Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a flower basket to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
July 03, 2025
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a flower basket to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the Military Academy of the General Staff of
July 02, 2025
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the Military Academy of the General Staff of
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
July 02, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
Good crops of wheat and barley are being expected on farms across the country which are being transformed splendidly as the days
July 02, 2025
Good crops of wheat and barley are being expected on farms across the country which are being transformed splendidly as the days
Talks were held between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova,
July 01, 2025
Talks were held between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova,
The West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps of the Pyongyang Railway Bureau carried out its first half-yearly plan for freight transport.
July 01, 2025
The West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps of the Pyongyang Railway Bureau carried out its first half-yearly plan for freight transport.
More Articles