Gochang , Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen S i t e s D e s c r i p t i o n M a p s D o c u m e n t s G a l l e r y I n dicatorsAssistanceGochang , Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen SitesThe prehistoric cemeteries at Gochang , Hwasun , and Ganghwa contain many hundreds of examples of dolmens - tombs from the 1 st millennium BC constructed of large stone slabs . They form part of the Megalithic culture , found in many parts of the world , but nowhere in such a concentrated form . Description is available under license CC - BY - SA IGO 3 . 0 Gochang , Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites © Cultural Heritage AdministrationOutstanding Universal ValueBrief synthesisThe Gochang , Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites contain the highest density and greatest variety of dolmens in Korea , and indeed of any country . Dolmens are megalithic funerary monuments , which figured prominently in Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures across the world during the 2 nd and 1 st millennia BCE . Usually consisting of two or more undressed stone slabs supporting a huge capstone , it is generally accepted that they were simply burial chambers , erected over the bodies or bones of deceased worthies . They are usually found in cemeteries on elevated sites and are of great archaeological value for the information that they provide about the prehistoric people who built them and their social and political systems , beliefs and rituals , and arts and ceremonies . The property encompasses three distinct areas . The Gochang Dolmen Site ( 8 . 38 ha ) features the largest and most diversified group , and is centered in the village of Maesan , along the southern foot of a group of hills running east / west . Over 440 dolmens of various types have been recorded in this location . The Hwasun Dolmen Site ( 31 ha ) is situated on the slopes of a low range of hills , along the Jiseokgang River . There are more than 500 dolmens in this group . In a number of cases , the stone outcrops from which the stones making up these dolmens have been identified . The Ganghwa Dolmen Sites ( 12 . 27 ha ) are on the offshore island of Ganghwa , on mountain slopes . They tend to be situated at a higher level than the dolmens of the other sites and are stylistically early , in particular those at Bugeun - ri and Gocheon - ri . The Gochang , Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites preserve important evidence of how stones were quarried , transported and raised and of how dolmen types changed over time in northeast Asia . Criterion ( iii ) : The global prehistoric technological and social phenomenon that resulted in the appearance in the 2 nd and 3 rd millennia BCE of funerary and ritual monuments constructed of large stones ( the " Megalithic Culture ") is nowhere more vividly illustrated than in the dolmen cemeteries of Gochang , Hwasun , and Ganghwa . IntegrityA significant number of dolmens are distributed in each of the three areas , fully showing the development history of the megalithic culture with numerous examples of various style and type . The existence of a quarry near the site is especially important in providing references to the origins , nature and developmental history of the dolmens , as well as contributing to the integrity of the property . These components are all included within the boundaries of the inscribed property . The re - erection of selected collapsed or dispersed dolmens is planned . This work will be based on meticulous scientific research , in order to establish the original configuration and location of the dolmens . The greatest risk to the dolmens is fire and damage to the surrounding environment . AuthenticityThe dolmens possess authenticity of form , materials and location . Most of the dolmens have remained untouched since the time of their construction , their present condition being the result of normal processes of decay . Although a few have been dismantled by farmers their stones have survived intact and their original location and form can be identified without difficulty . Protection and management requirementsThe entire area of the three separate sites has been designated as a Cultural Heritage site under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act , which requires that they be protected and managed accordingly . The sites and the area that extends 500 m from the boundary of the each site have further protection under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act as a Historic Cultural Environment Protection Area . Any form of development or intervention requires authorization and environmental impact assessment , and repairs must be carried out by licensed specialists . The sites are open to the general public . The properties belong to the Government of the Republic of Korea . Overall responsibility for protection , funding and the preparation and implementation of conservation policies for the sites and buffer zones rests with the Cultural Heritage Administration ( CHA ) . The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage carries out academic research , field survey and excavation ( in association with university museums and private heritage research institutes ) . Day - to - day preservation and management is the responsibility of the relevant local administrations ( Gochang - gun County , Hwasun - gun County and Ganghwa - gun County ) . The Gochang Dolmen Museum , Hwasun Dolmen Site Protection Pavilion and Ganghwa Historic Museum provide information about each dolmen site to visitors . Regular day - to - day monitoring is carried out and in - depth professional monitoring is carried out on a 3 - to - 4 year basis . Management plans have been developed for each of the three properties within the inscribed site . Their primary objective is the preservation of the original character of the dolmen sites and their immediate environments . The plans cover scientific research ( survey , inventory , selected excavation and paleo - environmental studies ) , protection of the environment ( selective clearance of vegetation cover , routing of visitors to ensure minimal impact on the natural environment , acquisition of adjacent farmland to prevent incursions , etc . ) , systematic monitoring and presentation ( signage , access roads and parking , interpretation facilities , public awareness and participation of local communities , festivals and other onsite events ) . To prevent forest fire , scrubs near the dolmens are removed regularly and dolmens that have collapsed as a result of unearthed land or tree roots are investigated , extensively researched and restored to their original state . News ( 1 ) World Heritage Committee Inscribes 61 New Sites on World Heritage List Thursday , 30 November 2000 LinksCultural Heritage Administration Hwasun County - including virtual tour Korea Tourism Organization 출처 ; 유네스코 http : / / whc . unesco . org / en / list / 977 1 MAY , 2016 - 22 : 10 NATALIA KLIMCZAKLooking for the Origins of the Mysterious Dolmens of KoreaThe megalithic constructions in Korea are mind blowing . Researchers still have more questions than answers , but the hundreds of dolmens are among the most fascinating archaeological sites in the Korean Peninsula . The first people appeared on the Korean Peninsula around 700 , 000 years ago . The society that lived there created an early culture based on farming . They continued this area until 1 , 000 BC . Over the years , they increased their use of bronze and cooper tools , improved their farming methods and created many settlements . These people of early Korea remain a mystery for researchers , but archeological sites have brought some information to light , giving life to this mysterious culture . one millennium before Christ , something changed in the Korean society . People started to build megalithic structures , which seem to be more characteristic of the other parts of the world . A Peninsula of DolmensDolmens are graves made of stone which are found in many parts of the world . They belong to the prehistoric era . Dolmens appear in many parts of eastern Asia , including China and Japan , but , due to unknown reasons , in Korea there is a surprisingly huge number of these constructions , especially in the sites located in Hwasun , Gochang , and Ganghwa . In Korea , dolmens are called '' goindol '', meaning '' the propped stone ''. 40 % of all of the world ’ s dolmens exist within South and North Korea . In South Korea , there are more than 30 , 000 dolmens , and up to 15 , 000 are found in North Korea . Unfortunately , due to the political issues , it is nearly impossible to explore the dolmens that are located in North Korea . All of the dolmens that have been examined are dated to around 1 , 000 BC , and they are proof that the society was already technologically advanced during this period . The number of dolmens may suggest that many people died in the same historical period , or that they were heroes from ancient battles between different tribes . One of the dolmens at the Gochang Jungnim - ri Dolmens ( CC BY - SA 3 . 0 ) Most of the dolmens are located in the north - western and south - western parts of the Peninsula . Dolmens are also located in the western part but in the smaller groups . Researchers believe that there could have been even more dolmens in Korea , but many of them were built near the seaside and destroyed during storms . Nowadays , the majority of the dolmens which have survived are located in Jeolla provinces , which include up to 20 , 000 dolmens . The Mysterious Dolmens of the CaucasusEuropean Dolmens in Colombia - The Mysterious Ruins of San AugustinLegends say mysterious women built the megaliths of PortugalExamining the DolmensMost of the dolmens worldwide are dated to the Neolithic period , c . 4000 – 2000 BC . In Korea , the dolmens are far younger , suggesting the migration of populations from Europe or North America to the Korean Peninsula . The new inhabitants could have brought the tradition of building the famous Neolithic tombs into eastern Asia . This is one of the more rational explanations for the existence of Bronze Age dolmens in this part of the world . This dolmen is one of the largest dolmens at the Jungnim - ri dolmens centered in Maesan village , Gochang County , North Jeolla province . ( CC BY - SA 3 . 0 ) Interestingly , the dolmens don ' t have just one orientation , some are pointed west to east and some north to south . Research centers focused on the dolmens are located in Hwasun , Gochang , and Ganghwa . According to UNESCO , all of the constructions found there are original - this makes these sites one of the biggest centers of prehistoric megaliths . The largest group of dolmens is located in Gochang . This group of 440 constructions of various types is the most diverse and is centered in the village of Maesan . They were dated to 500 - 400 BC . Due to the existence of some bronze implements , some of them are suggested to have been family burials for tribal leaders . The site located in Hwasun is situated on the hills near the Jiseokgang River . Researchers have recorded a group of nearly 600 dolmens , and many of them were in the excellent shape . They were explored in 1995 , and were dated to between 800 BC and 500 BC . Radiocarbon dating showed that the burial cists were from around 770 BC . The most famous of these dolmens is called '' Pingmae Bawi '', meaning '' the stone hurling rock '' and it ' s 7 . 3 meters ( 23 . 9 ft . ) long , 5 meters ( 16 . 4 ft . ) wide and 4 meters ( 13 . 12 ft . ) thick . It weights around 280 tons and it is one of the largest dolmens in the world . The dolmens of Ganghwa are situated on the island of Ganghwa . A group of 127 dolmens are located near the villages of Bugeun - ri , Osang - ri , Samgeo - ri , Gocheon - ri , and Gyosan - ri in Gwanghwa County . one of the biggest Korean dolmens is located in this area . The impressive structure is made up of two 2 . 5 meter ( 8 . 2 ft . ) tall propping stones , with the capstone measuring 6 . 5 by 5 . 3 meters ( 21 . 3 x 17 . 3 ft . ). The stone weighs about 50 tons and it ’ s been the top of the dolmen since the Bronze Age . In this area , researchers also discovered an agricultural settlement . Dolmens in Osang - ri , Ganghwa Island , South Korea . ( CC BY - SA 2 . 0 KR ) Archeologists discovered human remains in many of the dolmens . Apart from typical burials , several graves of people who appeared to have been sacrificed for religious purposes were discovered too . Many dolmens were looted over the centuries , so archaeologists mainly discovered pottery . A Symbol of KoreaIn 2000 , the dolmens of Korea were recognized as important for World Heritage by UNESCO . They are considered as the finest Korean objects created during the Bronze Age . Nowadays , they are one of the most magnetic and fascinating structures in this region . Alongside exotic folklore found in both of the countries , the dolmens became a Korean symbol . Despite the lack of knowledge about the people who created them , the awareness of dolmens ’ importance for Korean culture increases . With the rising number of tourists who arrive in Korea each year to explore the story of the oldest inhabitants of this area , Koreans have also increasingly become proud of the earliest of their ancestors . Many kurgans have also been discovered too . The most impressive belongs to King Muryeong , who ruled this area around 501 – 523 AD . The Spectacular Ancient Megaliths of the Ural MountainsArchaeologists discover tomb of ancient man in India who had achieved mukthiArchaeologists set to investigate historic past of Neolithic chambered tomb in AngleseyThis dolmen is one of the largest dolmens at the Gochang Jungnim - ri Dolmens and are centered in Maesan village , Gochang County , North Jeolla province . ( CC BY - SA 3 . 0 ) Researchers note similarities between the Neolithic culture of Europe and the Bronze Age culture in Korea . The analogies between religions , types of graves , and artifacts discovered in tombs suggests that maybe one day the researchers will discover the key that confirms that the Bronze Age people of Korea were linked to tribes from other regions , for example Europe . Featured image : A dolmen on Ganghwado , South Korea . Source : CC BY - SA 3 . 0 By Natalia Klimczak References : Z . Krzak , Megality Świata , 2001 . http : / / whc . unesco . org / en / list / 977 http : / / www . megaliths . net / korea . htmhttp : / / jikimi . cha . go . kr / english / world _ heritage _ new / culture _ treasure _ 07 . jsp ? mc = EN _ 04 _ 01 http : / / english . visitkorea . or . kr / enu / CU / CU _ EN _ 8 _ 9 _ 9 _ 1 . jsp