Revisiting the Distribution Patterns of the Geomdan-ri Culture

The distribution pattern of the Geomdan-ri culture, representative of the Middle Bronze Age culture in the Yeongnam region, was examined. Previously, the Geomdan-ri culture was perceived as forming a monothetic distribution zone within the southeastern coastal region, characterized by Geomdan-ri type pottery and Ulsan-type dwellings. This perspective generalized the Geomdan-ri culture as a homogeneous development within a specific geographic space, failing to capture the polythetic aspects of its assemblages. To address this issue, the concept of the culture was redefined, and its distribution pattern was re-evaluated from a multiscalar perspective. At a global level, the Geomdan-ri culture exhibited a core-periphery structure with distinct central and peripheral areas. However, at a regional level, the assemblages showed variability, with certain features or artifacts appearing repeatedly in specific space, while others appeared sporadically. This diversity reflects the intersection and dispersal patterns of assemblages at a localized spatial scale. To investigate this in detail, spatial statistical techniques in GIS were employed to estimate the distribution density of artifacts and burials associated with Ulsan-style dwellings. By sum these, the combination relationships and distribution patterns of the assemblages were analyzed. The results revealed a high frequency of specific assemblage components in areas such as Maegok-dong, Dawun-dong, and Sanha-dong in Ulsan, as well as Cheongun-dong in Gyeongju. These areas can be considered subcultural zones, as defined by Clark, due to the continuous and repeated appearance of the assemblages constituting the Geomdan-ri culture. This indicates that the Geomdan-ri culture does not form a single, uniform distribution zone but rather consists of four subcultural zones with Ulsan-style dwellings as a common component, exhibiting a polythetic distribution pattern with diverse characteristics.