National Treasure “Bangudae Petroglyphs of Daegok-ri, Uljoo”
ULSAN, South Korea, May 27 (Korea Bizwire) — A pair of prehistoric rock art sites in Ulsan, revered for capturing scenes of early Korean life, are set to join UNESCO’s World Heritage list following a key recommendation from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
ICOMOS, the official advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, has advised that the “Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream” — including the Bangudae and Cheonjeonri sites — be inscribed on the prestigious list, recognizing their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as irreplaceable cultural assets.
Final approval is expected at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled for July 6–16 in Paris. If confirmed, the petroglyphs will become South Korea’s 17th World Heritage site.
Types of Engravings on the Main Rock Surface of the Daegok-ri Petroglyphs
Discovered in 1971, the Bangudae Petroglyphs feature intricately carved depictions of marine and terrestrial animals, including what is believed to be the world’s oldest whale-hunting scene. Located on a cliff along the Bangucheon stream, a tributary of the Taehwa River, the rock surface measures approximately 4.5 meters high and 8 meters wide, with 312 figures identified through 3D scans and field research.
Lower Western Face of the Bangudae Petroglyphs Rock Surface
Nearby, the Cheonjeonri Petroglyphs, uncovered a year earlier, span a 2.7-meter-tall and 9.8-meter-wide rock face. The site contains over 620 carvings and inscriptions, including text believed to date back to the reign of King Beopheung of Silla (514–540), offering critical insights into sixth-century Korean society.
Both sites are considered rare archaeological records of prehistoric life, artistic expression, and cultural evolution on the Korean Peninsula from the Neolithic to the Silla period — spanning nearly 6,000 years.
National Treasure “Cheonjeon-ri Inscriptions and Petroglyphs of Uljoo”
Despite their significance, the petroglyphs have faced threats from regular flooding caused by the nearby Sayeon Dam. When water levels rise above 53 meters, parts of the Bangudae carvings become submerged. Over the past decade, the site has been underwater an average of 42 days per year. Temporary barriers and water-level control measures have been explored, but no permanent solution has yet been implemented.
In response to mounting preservation concerns, the Korean government initiated a policy review in 2021 under the Prime Minister’s Office. It is currently working to install sluice gates on the Sayeon Dam spillway to stabilize water levels.
The Cultural Heritage Administration previously emphasized the petroglyphs’ significance as a unique visual and symbolic record of the region’s ancient inhabitants. “These images and inscriptions serve as exceptional evidence of Korea’s evolving aesthetic and cultural expressions,” the agency stated during the 2024 nomination process.
If officially inscribed in July, the Bangucheon Petroglyphs will join the ranks of Korea’s other iconic World Heritage sites, including Bulguksa Temple, Haeinsa’s Tripitaka Koreana, and the Gaya Tumuli burial mounds. The country currently holds 14 cultural and 2 natural UNESCO World Heritage listings.
Image credit: The Korea Heritage Service, Yonhap /photonews@koreabizwire.com
