Dolmen testimony to level of ancient architecture and astronomical knowledge of Korean nation
Date: 18/03/2023 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source
As a typical type of tomb in ancient states of Korea, including Ancient Joson, dolmen was built by making a tomb chamber on the ground or half underground by setting up whole plain rocks or heaping up rubble stones around it and covering it with a large plain rock weighing five to six tons, or even dozens of tons.
Dolmen is a megalithic structure the whole of which consists of rocks. It requires high stone-processing technology and developed architecture to complete such a tomb, including cutting off gigantic rock by certain sizes, processing them, carrying them over a long distance and laying them on the tomb chamber.
Odok-type dolmen can be cited as an example. As its tomb chamber is generally 250 centimetres high, it is not an easy job in terms of dynamics to put on the chamber a cover stone weighing 50 or 60 tons or even over 100 tons.
Over 14 000 dolmens are distributed in the Pyongyang area alone and many others can be found in the southern half of Korea and Northeast China.
Hundreds of such tombs have cover stones engraved with constellations.
Constellations are engraved on the cover stones of the dolmens in grooved holes shaped like glasses and cups by different sizes according to the degrees of stars’ brightness. Such holes are linked by grooved lines of different geometric figures, which are similar to the constellations of Chonsangryolchabunyajido (Astronomical Chart of the Spherical Cosmos) which was made in the early days of the feudal Joson dynasty on the basis of an astronomical chart carved on a stone from the period of Koguryo.
The constellations of innumerable celestial bodies in the night sky carved on the cover stones of dolmens can be claimed to be an astronomical chart carved on a stone. More than 200 such dolmens from the period of Ancient Joson were surveyed and confirmed in the Pyongyang area alone.
The constellations carved on the cover stones of dolmens testify to the high level of ancient Koreans’ astronomy as they are comparatively correct in shape and differences between measurements of their movements are not large.
Dolmen is a valuable cultural heritage element which proves ancient Koreans’ high level of architecture and astronomical knowledge.
More From Pyongyang Times
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
February 01, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
February 01, 2026
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
February 01, 2026
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
Residents in the Central Zoo in Pyongyang are on the increase. This year alone five species of gift animals produced more than ten
February 01, 2026
Residents in the Central Zoo in Pyongyang are on the increase. This year alone five species of gift animals produced more than ten
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in Kanggye City met with a war veteran. Students presented bouquets to war
January 31, 2026
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in Kanggye City met with a war veteran. Students presented bouquets to war
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o
January 31, 2026
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o
A happy event of moving into new houses has taken place at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties of South Hwanghae
January 31, 2026
A happy event of moving into new houses has taken place at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties of South Hwanghae
On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the
January 31, 2026
On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the
Strategic plan based on long-cherished desire The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un unveiled a grand blueprint for the
January 31, 2026
Strategic plan based on long-cherished desire The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un unveiled a grand blueprint for the
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its national economic plan for January ahead of schedule. The complex conducted
January 31, 2026
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its national economic plan for January ahead of schedule. The complex conducted
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the French president for his provocative remarks at a
January 30, 2026
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the French president for his provocative remarks at a
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce condemned the inappropriate behaviour of the European Union at a news briefing on
January 30, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce condemned the inappropriate behaviour of the European Union at a news briefing on
The Jagang Provincial Forestry Management Bureau is making innovations in the winter timber production. Thanks to the devoted
January 30, 2026
The Jagang Provincial Forestry Management Bureau is making innovations in the winter timber production. Thanks to the devoted
North Hwanghae Province has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Mill. Their successful renovation
January 30, 2026
North Hwanghae Province has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Mill. Their successful renovation
A meeting to review the farming in 2025 took place at the Cabinet on January 27 and 28 through video conferencing. The meeting was
January 30, 2026
A meeting to review the farming in 2025 took place at the Cabinet on January 27 and 28 through video conferencing. The meeting was
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
January 30, 2026
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae
January 30, 2026
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae
A conference of the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
January 30, 2026
A conference of the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ju Chun Jo, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 12 of the
January 30, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ju Chun Jo, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 12 of the
A regional construction campaign for 2026 started in the DPRK, demonstrating the steadfast pioneering spirit and executive faculty
January 30, 2026
A regional construction campaign for 2026 started in the DPRK, demonstrating the steadfast pioneering spirit and executive faculty
More Articles
