The Operation and Meanings of Baekje Kiln Sites in the Cheongyang Area

Evidence has confirmed the existence of kiln sites that produced a variety of objects in the Cheongyang area over different periods. They are so large in numbers that they account for approximately 42% of the entire relics. There were especially many kiln sites built in the Cheongyang area because of its geographical conditions necessary for production and its historical context close to the capital city. All of the Baekje kiln sites were built in “Yeolgi-hyeon” and supplied necessary objects to the capital cities of Woongjin~Sabi. The kiln sites of Hagam-ri made and provided ceremonial pottery needed in the capital cities. Those of Gwanhyeon-ri and Wangjin-ri made and supplied roof-tiles representing each group. Those of Bonui-ri were characteristic in that they produced pedestals for Buddha statues. The Baekje kiln sites in the Cheongyang area were managed in three major ways including the production of roof-tiles along with pottery, the changing supply-demand relations, and the intentional transformation of roof-end tiles patterns. They were the results of flexible responses to roof-tiles demand in the composition and moving of the production group and the efficiency of kiln operation. Baekje built kiln sites in the Cheongyang area because the capital city lacked the conditions to build a production relic. The mountains around the capital city had tombs and fortresses built, and it was important to minimize the fire risk of the major buildings within the capital city walls. The opposite side of the Geumgang-River was thus highlighted as an important production site, and the Cheongyang area followed this historical context.