Cheonjeon-ri petroglyphs, Neolithic petroglyphic site in Ulju County, South Korea.
Cheonjeon-ri petroglyphs are stone carvings on a rock face along Daegokcheon Stream featuring geometric patterns, animal forms, and human figures. The engravings spread across different sections and combine artistic designs with inscribed text from separate periods.
The petroglyphs formed over several millennia, with the oldest carvings dating from prehistoric times. The newest inscriptions record a royal visit during the Silla Dynasty in the first half of the 6th century.
The upper section shows prehistoric symbols like concentric circles and sun shapes, revealing how early inhabitants understood their world. Below are depictions of horsemen, dragons, and boats that hint at what mattered to these ancient communities.
The site is accessible during regular hours with guided tours available to explain the carvings. Protective barriers shield the ancient reliefs so visitors can view them closely while keeping damage at a distance.
The site is notable for joining both prehistoric artwork and later written records on the same rock surface. This layering of different time periods at a single location makes it an unusual testament to how cultures evolved.
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