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
The Iraqi government on January 18 announced the US-led international allied forces completely withdrew from military bases in the
January 25, 2026
The Iraqi government on January 18 announced the US-led international allied forces completely withdrew from military bases in the
According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000
January 25, 2026
According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000
Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change
January 25, 2026
Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Workers’ Party of Korea is organizing and conducting in a bold way the work to realign the farm fields of the country into
January 24, 2026
The Workers’ Party of Korea is organizing and conducting in a bold way the work to realign the farm fields of the country into
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
January 24, 2026
European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n
On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East
January 23, 2026
On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
January 23, 2026
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov mentioned about a series of international issues at the recent press
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
January 23, 2026
The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
January 23, 2026
A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
January 23, 2026
Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
January 23, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Ok Suk, a war veteran living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 14 of
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
January 23, 2026
Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
January 23, 2026
In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the foreign policy line of his country in a diplomatic meeting on January 15. He
January 22, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the foreign policy line of his country in a diplomatic meeting on January 15. He
With contagious diseases breaking out one after another across the world, a flu epidemic is rapidly spreading. The World Health
January 22, 2026
With contagious diseases breaking out one after another across the world, a flu epidemic is rapidly spreading. The World Health
Mountain villages in Jagang Province are turning into a fairyland. House-moving in Puji-ri of Songgan County, Ryongmun-ri of
January 22, 2026
Mountain villages in Jagang Province are turning into a fairyland. House-moving in Puji-ri of Songgan County, Ryongmun-ri of
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex. The catalyst production base is another
January 22, 2026
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex. The catalyst production base is another
With the implementation of the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, regional-industry factories are
January 22, 2026
With the implementation of the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, regional-industry factories are
The Youth Movement Museum marked the tenth anniversary of its founding. The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un personally
January 22, 2026
The Youth Movement Museum marked the tenth anniversary of its founding. The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un personally
More Articles
