Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2010 Sep;23(3):113-123.

Construction of Medieval Skeleton Collections with Human Remains from Tombs of Goryeo Dynasty, Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anatomy, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Korea.
  • 2Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University University College of Medicine, Korea. drdoogi@snu.ac.kr
  • 3Institute of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
  • 4Department of Anatomy, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea.
  • 5Gangwon Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Korea.
  • 6Department of History, Sejong University, Korea.
  • 7University of Brain Education, Korea.

Abstract

Skeletal remains collected from the archaeological fields must be maintained carefully, for being used in scientific studies on the physical characteristics, health status, and pathological disease of the ancient or medieval human populations. Even if Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection might be a good example for such studies, few of bone collections predated the Joseon Age (e.g. Goryeo Dynasty) have been established until now, possibly owing to poor preservation condition of archaeological sites in Korea. In this study, we performed anthropological studies on a few cases of Goryeo skeletons, which have been rarely reported by anthropologists in Korea. Judging from the preservation status of bones found in various types of Goryeo graves (e.g. earthen- or stone-chambered tombs), many cases seem to be cremated in accordance with Buddhist funeral rites. Goryeo bone collections must be constructed with the bones identified in the earthen tombs, which were preserved much perfectly than those of any other types of Goryeo tombs.

Keyword

Physical anthropology; Goryeo dynasty; Archaeology; Skeleton collection; Type of tomb

MeSH Terms

Anthropology, Physical
Archaeology
Funeral Rites
Humans
Korea
Skeleton
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