Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site, Seoul

The Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site in Seoul, representing Korea's prehistoric era, is a Neolithic site located along the banks of the Han River facing Achasanseong Fortress. Three cultural layers have been identified, and according to radiocarbon dating, the site spans from approximately 4,000 to 3,000 BC. Through multiple excavations, over 40 house sites, auxiliary facilities, and stone mound structures have been discovered. The traces of the Neolithic people who lived by fishing and gathering along the Han River remain intact. The house pits are round or square with rounded corners, measuring about 5–6 m in length and 70–100 cm in depth. A stone-lined hearth is visible in the center of the house sites, and the entrances generally face south. Typically, there are four postholes, suggesting that pillars were erected at the corners to support the roof. Additionally, many comb-pattern pottery with pointed bottoms have been found, along with stone axes, net sinkers, and charred acorns. The Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site in Seoul is a representative Neolithic site of the Han River basin and is highly significant as the largest village-type site among confirmed Neolithic sites in Korea. Numerous artifacts that shed light on the lifestyle of that period have also been excavated.