A Study on Settlement Relations in the Western Gyeongnam Region from the 3rd to 6th Century

This study investigates the formation and transformation of residential cultural zones in western Gyeongnam during the 3rd to 6th centuries, using both diachronic and micro-analytical approaches. Settlements in this region were organized around large-scale villages, with smaller sites distributed within a 5 km radius, forming multiple interrelated cultural zones. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, traditional Samhan-style dwelling practices persisted, but distinct types of Ara-Gaya pottery across each zone suggest different cultural inflow routes. From the 5th century onward, changes in housing styles and settlement structures reflect the growing influence of regional geography, politics, and society on the consolidation of localized cultural zones. For instance, the Songjeong cultural zone displays Silla-type dwellings and Daegaya pottery, yet also preserves unique burial traditions, implying cultural autonomy under external influence. The Hachon zone, situated along key transportation routes, shows a mix of Gaya, Baekje, and Mahan artifacts, underscoring its role as a borderland settlement. Meanwhile, although slightly reduced in scale, the Pyeonggeo zone continued to show sustained influence from Sogaya through the 5th century. These patterns demonstrate that the settlements developed their own distinct cultural spheres, shaped through dynamic interactions with various external powers—not by uniform control, but through interconnected and adaptive local systems.