Bangudae Cliff

Ulju Cheonjeolli Gakseok (Petroglyphs in Cheonjeon-ri, Ulju-gun, Ulsan-si, Republic of Korea)

These carvings on the rocky surface of cliffs are located along the middle reaches of Naegokcheon Stream, one of the branches of the Taehwagang River in Ulsan City. They can be divided into two sections: a lower and an upper, each featuring different figures and technique.

The upper section, carved in peck-and-polish technique, contains a variety of geometric designs and figures of animals and human beings depicted in an abstract way.

A sun-like circle is simply depicted in the center.

A pair of galloping deer is carved on each side of the circle.

On the leftmost is carved a mysterious creature which has a human head and an animal body.

The unsophisticated but symbolic petroglyph deems to date from the Bronze Age. The lower section was made in the Silla period to memorialize a visit to this site by King Beopheung and his queen.

A procession of people riding horses is depicted in dots and lines along with some carvings of birds, dragons, and ships.

The cavalcade scene appears in three places.

The ships well display the marine activities of the Silla people.

An inscription in more than 800 Chinese characters is presumed to have been done on two occasions during the reign of King Beopheung.

The inscription provides valuable research materials for the study of sixth-century Silla society because it contains the Dynasty's official post names and the organization of the Council of the Six Districts.

The petroglyph and the inscription both serve as a guide to the life of the ancient people of different periods.

This video was uploaded from an Android phone.