The Evolution of Iron Arrowheads in the Mahan and Baekje Regions and its Historical Meaning

This study investigates the typological development and genealogical origins of iron arrowheads excavated from the Mahan-Baekje region. A total of 2,677 iron arrowheads have been recovered from burial sites, of which 543 complete specimens were selected for typological classification and analysis. The primary classification criteria include the presence of the tang and the shape of arrowheads, categorizing them into tangless arrowheads, socketed arrowheads, tanged primary arrowheads and tanged functional arrowheads. The secondary and tertiary classification criteria were based on total length and blade width. The chronological development was divided into four phases based on typology. Phase I(late 1st century ~early 2nd century CE) corresponds to a period when only tangless triangular-notched arrowheads were deposited as burial goods in the central-western region, suggesting the predominant use of indigenous arrowheads. Phase II(mid-2nd century ~early 3rd century CE) marks the emergence of tangless lozenge- shaped, socketed, and tanged willow-leaf type I arrowheads. Similar types have been identified in the Buyeo-Goguryeo region. Phase III(mid-3rd century ~early 5th century CE) exhibits a transition from short-bodied to medium-bodied arrowheads, with a gradual decline in tangless and socketed arrowheads. Primary arrowheads became increasingly diverse and functional arrowheads began to emerge. These changes coincide with significant geopolitical shifts involving Cao Wei, Goguryeo, and Mahan in the mid-3rd century. Phase IV(mid-5th century~6th century CE and beyond) are characterized by the standardization and elongation of tanged willow-leaf and serpent-head arrowheads. Extended arrowheads exceeding 15cm in length appear predominantly in the southwestern region. These findings suggest that the evolution of Mahan-Baekje iron arrowheads was externally shaped by Northeast Asian interactions—particularly with Buyeo, Goguryeo, the Three Yan states, and Wa—whereas internally, arrowhead types followed a gradual trajectory toward elongation and standardization.