▲ Early Joseon Dynasty Hangeul metal type from Insa-dong, Seoul
In Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, downtown Seoul, more than 1,600 early Joseon metal types made between the 15th and 16th centuries were discovered at once, including the earliest Korean metal type that reflected the notation at the time of the creation of Hunminjeongeum.
It is known that only about 30 types of Hangeul type in the collection of the National Museum of Korea survived the Joseon Dynasty metal type produced before the Imjin War, and the early Joseon type type, which the bibliographical community had been waiting for, came out in a pile.
The printing press of the Central Museum was produced around 1455.
In addition, parts of the astronomical clock 'Ilseongjeongsi', a scientific heritage of the early Joseon Dynasty that were only transmitted through records, and copper products that appear to be part of 'Jujeon', an accessory for water clocks such as 'Jeongjae-nu', were also discovered.
This is the first time that traces of the scientific heritage of the Sejong period have been excavated on a large scale.
The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Sudo Cultural Heritage Research Institute, a research institution for buried cultural properties, conducted excavation and investigation at 79 Insa-dong, the 'Gongpyeong-gu Urban Environment Improvement Project Site' near Tapgol Park. It was announced today (29th) that eight gun barrels, the same type, were found.
Metal movable type and copper products presumed to be jujeon were revealed in a pottery jar, and the relatively large Ilseongjeongsi, Chongtong, and Dongjong bells were excavated in a state in which they were divided into several pieces.
The most interesting artifact in this investigation is the metal type.
About 1,000 Chinese characters and 600 Korean characters were published.
It is the first case of various metal movable types from the early Joseon Dynasty found in one place, including artifacts believed to have been made by Gutenberg around the time he developed metal movable type and printing technology for the first time in the West in the 1440s.
In the Joseon Dynasty, metal movable type is named after the sixty-gap character of the year it was made, and relics that appear to have been made in 1434, Eulhaeja made in 1455, and Eulyuja made in 1465 have been identified.
In addition, among the metal movable types of Hangeul, the type using the 'Donggukjeongunsik notation', which was used limitedly in the 15th century, when Hunminjeongeum was created, and the so-called 'playing type' in which 'Igo' or 'Igo', the Hangeul letters used between Chinese characters, were cast at once for convenience. ' There were about ten.
An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Hangeul metal type of various sizes has been unearthed." "The analysis of metal type has not been completed yet, but there is a possibility that the actual type of the early Joseon type used for printing the printed version may appear additionally because there are various types."
He added, "If you look at the size and the shape of the back side, the types are different." He added, "Most of the types are intact, but some were melted in the fire and stuck together."
The copper product, presumed to be a jujeon that activates the time signal device in automatic water clocks such as Jagyeongnu, was found in a chopped state like other relics except for movable type.
The Jujeon consists of a copper plate with a round hole and engraved with the word "Iljeon", and a ball release mechanism that combines a clasp and a ginkgo leaf-shaped hook.
This form was evaluated to be consistent with the records related to Jujeon in the Annals of King Sejong.
If the copper product is a main hall, it is possible that it is an accessory to Heumgyeonggak Okrun, which was built in 1438, the 20th year of King Sejong, or Borugak Jagyeongnu, which was newly installed in Changdeokgung in 1536, the 31st year of King Jungjong.
Ongru has no existing members, and Jagyeongnu is designated as a national treasure.
Ilseongjeongsi is a tool used as a sundial during the day and using constellations at night to determine the time.
In the 'Sejong Annals', it is recorded that four Ilseongjeong poems were produced in 1437, but some of them appeared for the first time this time after they were not transmitted.
When the excavated relics are restored, there are three circular rings, named Jucheondo Bunhwan, Ilgu Baekgakhwan, and Seonggu Baekgakhwan, respectively.
The gun barrel is made up of one small firearm, a small firearm, and a seven-piece rifle barrel with a handle, all of which are 50 to 60 cm in length.
It is presumed that the Seungja Chongtong with the words 'Gyemi' was made in 1583, and the Soseungja Chongtong with the characters 'Manryeok Muja' was made in 1588.
Among the inscriptions (characters engraved on the golden stone), there is 'Heeson', the maker, and the Cultural Heritage Administration explained that the name also appears in 'Cha Seung-ja Chongtong', which is designated as a treasure and is owned by the Seoul National University Museum.
The letter 'Manryeok Muja' was also found in the Myeongnyang Sea area.
It was confirmed that the bell was made in April 1535 because it had the words 'Miss Moon Day for the fourteenth year of the family'.
However, it was analyzed that the typeface was different from that of the same type that originated from the royal family (who made a wish to God).
In terms of style, it was evaluated to be similar to the 'Jeon Yugyeomsa Dongbong' or 'Haeinsa Dongbongbong' produced in the late 15th century.
An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration said, "It seems that all the relics were buried together after 1588 and have not been used again." "It is a very important material that will be helpful in understanding Joseon's electro-printing technology and science and technology through conservation treatment and additional research." .
(Photo=Courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Yonhap News)