history

New historical relics have been discovered recently in the area of Mt Paektu, the ancestral mountain of the Korean nation. They show high patriotism and customs of Koreans.

Graves dating back to the feudal Joson dynasty were found on the mountain and in its wide surrounding area. Those relics are strong objective evidence establishing that Koreans had buried their ancestors' remains there.

A research group of the History Faculty of Kim Il Sung University found those relics during its detailed on-the-spot survey. Five graves, akin in style to those of Koreans already found on an islet of Lake Samji No.1, were discovered on the shores of Lake Chon on the top of the mountain. Four graves were also discovered in Taehongdan County of Ryanggang Province and Musan County of North Hamgyong Province.

By fully analyzing the locations of the graves, differences in typical features of domestic and foreign graves and funeral customs, the research group found that the newly discovered graves are essentially different from those of other nations in terms of style and funeral customs. According to it, the remains in the graves had been wrapped in white birch bark before being placed in pits and covered with earth. Then their mounds had allegedly been carpeted with stones all over the surface or over the half of their lower part. Researchers assert that such style and funeral custom originate from the Koreans of Palhae (698-926).

Through radiocarbon dating in collaboration with Novosibirsk State University of Russia, the research group clarified that the remains are of Koreans who lived in around the mid-18th century to mid-19th century. They thus proved for the first time the historical fact that Koreans in the area of Mt Paektu had brought their ancestors' remains to the shores of Lake Chon and buried them there.

The Archaeology Society of the DPRK evaluated after examination that the remains in the newly found graves are of the Koreans who inherited the customs of Palhae.

The recent discovery has scientifically proved that the Koreans hewed their way through long miles of primeval forests to reach Lake Chon and bury their ancestors' remains on its shores a long time ago, deeming it their ancestral mountain and sacred territory.