The Archaeology of Korea [Paperback]

The author examines the evolution of state-level societies and their relationship to polities in Japan and China.A survey of Korean prehistory from the earliest paleolithic settlers through the formation of the Three Kingdoms and the creation of United Silla in AD 668 dispels the notion that Korean culture and traditions are imitative of China and Japan.A survey of Korean prehistory from the earliest paleolithic settlers through the formation of the Three Kingdoms and the creation of United Silla in AD 668 dispels the notion that Korean culture and traditions are imitative of China and Japan.Sarah Nelson's book surveys Korean prehistory from the earliest paleolithic settlers, perhaps half a million years ago, through the formation of the Three Kingdoms and on to the creation of United Silla in AD 668, when the peninsula was largely united for the first time. The author treats the development of state-level societies and their relationship to polities in Japan and China, and the development of a Korean ethnic identity. Emphasizing the particular features of the region, the author dispels the notion that the culture and traditions of Korea are pale imitations of those of its neighbors, China and Japan.List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface and acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Environment; 3. Forest foragers; 4. Early villages; 5. Megaliths, rice and bronze 2000 to 500 BC; 6. Iron, trade and exploitation 400 BC to AD 300; 7. Three Kingdoms AD 300668; 8. Ethnicity in retrospect; Bibliography; Index.'There is no question but that Sarah Nelson's book is an important contribution to the English-language literature dealing with East Asian prehistory.' John W. Olsen, University of Arizona'This long-awaited and much-needed book is a welcome addition to the teaching materials for East Asian archaeology & a solid introduction to the archaeology of the peninsula from the Palaeolithic through the Three Kingdoms era.' Gina Barnes, University of Cambridge'I warmly reclƒ‰