South Korea Identifies Oldest Known Gunpowder Weapon, a 14th–15th Century Bronze Hwatong
Discovered in 2023 during a mine-detection operation, a ten-inch bronze hwatong, or "fire tube," found on Geumseongsan Mountain in Naju, South Korea, is recognized as the nation's oldest gunpowder weapon. The Korea Heritage Service reported this finding, noting that the artifact weighs over two pounds and features 28 inscribed characters. These inscriptions reveal it was produced in the 12th month of the Jeongsa year, overseen by Noksa An Hyu-bo and crafted by artisan Seok. Researchers suggest it dates back to either 1377 or 1437. According to Cho Mi-soon from the Naju National Research Institute, this remarkable artifact is significant for its rarity and its role in Korea's firearm development during the late Goryeo to early Joseon period.
Key facts
- The Hwangja Hwatong was discovered in 2023 during a mine-detection sweep on Geumseongsan Mountain in Naju, South Korea.
- The ten-inch bronze weapon weighs a little more than two pounds and dates to 1377 or 1437.
- It bears 28 inscribed Korean characters, 27 in six columns on the shaft socket and one on the muzzle.
- The inscription names Noksa An Hyu-bo as supervisor and the artisan Seok as maker.
- The Korea Heritage Service confirmed it as the earliest gunpowder weapon found in Korea.
- Gunpowder was invented by Daoist alchemists in ninth-century China and was first used in fireworks and signals.
- In 1377, Korean scientist Choi Mu-Seon persuaded the Goryeo dynasty to establish the Hwatong Dogam, a directorate of gunpowder weapons.
- Japanese pirates once sailed up the Yeongsan River to plunder, and Geumseongsan Mountain was a geographical stronghold against them.
Entities
Artists
- Cho Mi-soon
- Choi Mu-Seon
- Eo Changsun
- Lee Sang-hoon
- An Hyu-bo
- Seok
- Jhoo Dong-chan
- Heo Yun-hee
- Sonja Anderson
Institutions
- Korea Heritage Service
- Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage
- Korea Army Museum
- Chosun Daily
- Korea Times
- Smithsonian magazine
Locations
- Naju
- South Korea
- Geumseongsan Mountain
- Yeongsan River
- China
- Korean peninsula