The Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (chaired by Lee Eun-seok), the Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (chaired by Yu Jae-eun), and the Society for Korean Bronze Culture (chaired by Kim Gwon-gu) will jointly hold the international conference titled Shedding New Light on the Bronze Age in the Honam Region at the main lecture hall of the Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, on June 17 - 18, 2021.

  The Honam region (southwestern region of Korea) is an important repository of artifacts dating from the Bronze Age. In particular, the region is home to 22,000 dolmens, the most emblematic relics of the Bronze Age, accounting for around 66% of all dolmens distributed across Korea. This international conference will share the latest research achievements on the Bronze Age in the Honam region with the aim of stimulating further research on Bronze Age culture.

  The conference will be held for two days and consist of five chapters comprising oral presentations, video presentations, and a comprehensive discussion.

  On the first day (June 17), the first chapter will begin with a keynote lecture by Professor Kim Seung-og (Chonbuk National University) on The Trends and Characteristics of the Bronze Age Culture in the Honam Region and Associated Issues. The rest of the chapter will focus on the Bronze Age culture in the Yeongsangang River basin, with presentations on the following topics: Bronze Age culture in the Yeongsangang River basin (Kim Gyu-joung, Jeonbuk Cultural Property Research Institute); residential distribution patterns of the Bronze Age in the Yeongsangang River basin (Lee Jae-earn, Jeonnam Cultural Property Research Center); and the characteristics and locality of dolmens in the Yeongsangang River basin (Lee Dong-gon, Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage).

  The second chapter will focus on the Bronze Age culture in the Mangyeonggang River basin, with presentations on the Bronze Age culture in the Mangyeonggang River basin (Lee Jong-cheol, Chonbuk National University Museum); the residential nature and characteristics of the Bronze Age in the Mangyeonggang River basin (Jeong Da-woon, Wanju County Office); and the current status and characteristics of Bronze Age tombs in the Mangyeonggang River basin (Song A-reum, Buyeo National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage).

  The third chapter will focus on the Bronze Age culture in the Seomjingang River and Tamjingang River Basins, with presentations on the development of the Bronze Age culture in the Seomjingang River and Tamjingang River basins (Hwang Jae-hoon, Chungnam National University); residential patterns of the Bronze Age in the Seomjingang River and Tamjingang River basins (Kim Jin-hwan, Haewon Cultural Heritage Research Institute); and the characteristics and locality of dolmens in the Seomjingang River and Tamjingang River basins (Kang Dong-seok, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage).
 

  On the second day (June 18), the fourth chapter will focus on the Honam region’s early Iron Age culture, with presentations on the early Iron Age culture in the Honam region (Han Su-young, Honam Cultural Property Research Center); dwellings and graves of the early Iron Age culture in the Jeollanam-do region (Kim Jin-young, Ancient Cultural Property Research Institute); and the characteristics and locality of relics of the early Iron Age culture in the Jeollabuk-do region (Jung Su-ock, Cultural Heritage Administration).

  The fifth and final chapter will consist of the following video presentations on the theme of agriculture of the Bronze Age in China, Japan, and the Honam region: the origins of rice cultivation based on Chinese archaeology studies and changes in the perception of Chinese civilization (Zheng Yun Fei, Zhejiang Civilization and Archaeology Research Institute, China); and the Bronze Age culture in Japan and the Honam region (Miyazato Osamu, Kochi University, Japan).

The presentations will be followed by a comprehensive discussion based on the fifteen subjects presented at the conference. The discussion will be chaired by Professor Lee Chung-kyu of Yeungnam University, with the participation of Yun Ho-pil (Sangju Museum), Cheon Seon-haeng (Jeolla Cultural Heritage Research Institute), Lee Dong-hee (Inje University), Jo Jin-seon (Chonnam National University) and Kim Gwon-gu (Keimyung University).
 

  In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of attendees at the conference will be limited to a maximum of 50 persons with advance reservations. The contents of the conference will be streamed live on the YouTube channel of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. To ensure that the conference proceeds smoothly, the organizers will observe the COVID-19 prevention guidelines by disinfecting the venue, checking the body temperature of the attendees, installing hand sanitizers, insisting on the use of masks, and assigning a specific seat to each participant.
 * YouTube channel of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Yx4eJEZ2E
 
  The Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Wanju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage plan to organize diverse events in the future to allow domestic and international researchers to discuss the Bronze Age culture from a wide range of perspectives and share research achievements with academic circles and the general public.