Comparison of Hongshan Culture and Neolithic Burial Customs in Northeast Asia

Abstract

The Hongshan culture, which represents the Neolithic culture of the northeast region of China, has distinct characteristics that the tombs and their burials represent this culture. This characteristic was more clearly revealed when compared with the Neolithic culture of coexisting Northeast Asia including Korea. A stone tomb called Jeokseokchong was also discovered in the Xiaozhushan upper-class culture, which is adjacent to the Hongsan culture. In Primorsky and Korea, earthen graves are found in tomb groups. However, in Korea, in addition to earthen graves, there are various types of coffin graves and mass burial tombs compared to those of Primorsky Krai. In the tomb of the Hongsan culture, not only the representative stamping earthenware of this culture, but also colored earthenware and jade instruments of various shapes were excavated. On the other hand, from the Xiaozhushan Upper Culture, not only earthenware such as feet, high plates, and cup-shaped earthenware, but also earthenware from the Shandong Longshan culture were excavated. It is different from the Hongshan culture. Not only earthenware, but also various ornaments and hunting implements were excavated from the Boisman Cultural Tomb in Primorsky Krai. The custom of deliberately deforming skulls in male and female human bones is also found. In Korea, during the period of coexistence with Hongsan culture, earthen graves were identified as groups in Janghang and Yeondaedo in Gadeokdo. Round-bottomed earthenware is mainly excavated, and it is a raised gate. In addition to earthenware, there are ornaments and hunting tools such as anklets, shell bracelets, crown jewels, and jade earrings. In Primorye and Korea, in addition to earthenware and ornaments, hunting tools are also stored, but it was not found in the Hongsan culture using stone graves and in the upper culture of Xiaozhushan. It was also found that among the burials of Northeast Asian tombs, Hongsan culture, Boisman culture, and Gadeok also differ according to gender in Janghang ruins. Among burial items, jade earrings are commonly identified, and they are classified and compared with the period of coexistence with the Hongsan culture. As a result, the relics of Hongsan culture are different in size and shape from those of Korea and Primorsky Krai. Rather, in Korea, there has been a tradition of making jade earrings since earlier than the Yoseo region.