The Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Director Lee Kyuhoon), under the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Korea Heritage Service, will host an international conference on the theme of “Ancient Embankments and Irrigation in East Asia” at the Daejeon ICC Hotel on October 17, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m.

* Irrigation: the supply of water to paddies and fields for agriculture　

The Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage is conducting research to restore the ancient agricultural culture of the Jeonbuk (North Jeolla) region, focusing on ancient embankment sites such as Byeokgolje Reservoir in Gimje and Hwangdeungje Reservoir in Iksan. The upcoming conference aims to share the latest research findings from Korea and East Asia, while also setting future research directions.

The international conference will consist of a keynote lecture, two parts with a total of seven presentations, and a discussion session. It will begin with a keynote lecture titled “The Current Status and Challenges of Research on Ancient Embankments in East Asia” (Park Soonbarl, Chungnam National University),

followed by Part 1, which will feature four presentations:

“An Overview of Irrigation Systems Based on Ancient Embankments and Surrounding Sites in the Jeonbuk Region” (Lee Jiyoung, Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage);

“The Characteristics and Nature of Ancient Embankments in the Jeonbuk Region” (Park Yongmin, Jeolla Research Institute of Cultural Heritage);

“Understanding and Utilization of Paleotopographic Analysis for Research on Alluvial Land” (Ahn Hyoungki, Korean Institute for Archaeology & Environment);

and “A Hydrological and Topographical Review of Hwangdeungje Reservoir” (Shin Hyoungsub, ERI Solutions Inc./Jang Cheolhee, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology).

These presentations will showcase the latest research on the remains of ancient embankments in the Jeonbuk region, which has been a key area of interest for studies on ancient irrigation systems.

Part 2 will feature three presentations:

“The Discovery and Research of Irrigation Systems Around Liangzhu Ancient City, China” (Wang Ningyuan, Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology);

“Ancient Embankments and Irrigation in Japan” (Koyamada Koichi, Sayamaike Museum);

and “The Embankments and Irrigation Systems of the Dong Son Culture in the Red River Delta, Vietnam” (Bui Van Liem, Vietnam Institute of Archaeology).

These presentations will comprehensively compare and analyze various research findings, including the characteristics of ancient embankments and the correlation between irrigation systems across East Asia.

Following the presentations, there will be a discussion session moderated by Professor Seong Jeongyong of Chungbuk National University, where presenters and discussants will exchange diverse perspectives.

The conference is open to anyone who completes the registration process on the day of the event. For further information, please contact (+82)063-290-9317.

The Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will continue its research on ancient agricultural culture and irrigation in the Jeonbuk region, while actively organizing events to uncover and share the cultural heritage of the area.