An Exploratory Study on the Production and Distribution of Goguryeo Ironware

This study investigates the production and distribution systems of ironware in the Goguryeo, with a particular focus on iron production sites recently excavated in China. The analysis begins by examining iron-related archaeological sites across China, North and South Korea to identify regional variations. Subsequently, the Goguryeo period is divided into four chronological phases－from its foundation to its collapse－to delineate the characteristics and developmental trajectories of iron production culture over time. Although considerable scholarship has addressed Goguryeo ironware, research on its modes of production and distribution has remained limited. This study seeks to fill that gap by offering a new analytical framework for understanding Goguryeo’s iron culture. The findings suggest that, with the acquisition of additional archaeological data, iron production sites may serve as critical evidence for reconstructing the kingdom’s production centers and extensive distribution networks, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of its socio-economic and military infrastructure.