The Earliest Introduction of Iron into the Yŏngnam Region －A Critical Examination of the Evidence and Discourse－

This study critically reexamines the earliest introduction of iron into the Yŏngnam region of the Korean Peninsula, a topic that remains central yet contested in Korean archaeology. While recent archaeological interpretations suggest that iron was in use in the Yŏngnam region prior to the establishment of the Lelang Commandery in 108 BCE, this view has met with skepticism due to the lack of robust explanations for the mechanisms behind such early transmission. This paper deconstructs the ‘pre-Lelang iron introduction’ argument into two parts: (1) the dating of iron artifacts to the mid-second century BCE, and (2) the mechanisms proposed for their introduction. Through a detailed analysis of key burial sites, it is shown that the dating of early iron artifacts hinges on a contested chronology based on the dating of Han mirrors. The paper then critiques various explanatory models that have been proposed for the ‘pre-Lelang introduction of iron’ into the Yŏngnam region. It argues that the most recent scholarship is shifting cautiously toward recognizing migration, particularly refugee movement, as a plausible mechanism for iron transmission. By contextualizing these movements within broader East Asian socio-political transformations, the paper proposes that refugee groups played a significant role in the early diffusion of iron. The study also addresses the historiographical reluctance in Korean archaeology to invoke migration due to its prior misuse and colonial-era connotations. Ultimately, this paper aims to establish a more nuanced framework for understanding early iron transmission, encouraging dialogue between archaeologists and historians, and inviting further research on the mobility of people and material culture in early East Asia.