순화리 석실분의 조사성과와 백제 사비기 순창지역의 위상 = Excavation achievements of the stone chamber tombin Sunhwa-ri and the status of the Baekje Sabi period in the Sunchang region

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The Sunhwari stone chamber tomb is located on the southeast slopes of Mount Geumsan, the primary mountain of Sunchang-eup. The tomb's structural design is a stone-chamber tomb with corridor and a trapezoidal cross-section shape, constructed using rectangular stone slabs. Notable artifacts, including silver flower-shaped hat ornament, associated hat ornaments frameworks, and a part of metal waist belt, were excavated from within the chamber, clearly identifying it as the burial site of an official from the Baekje Kingdom's Sabi period. However, considering the detailed structural deviations from the typical tomb architecture of central Baekje, it is presumed that local tomb builders were responsible for its construction, and thus, the interred individual was likely a member of a native elite.
Moreover, based on the excavated silver flower-shaped hat ornament, the Sunhwari stone chamber tomb can be dated approximately from the late 6th to the early 7th century CE.
Historically, archaeological research in the Sunchang region has been relatively limited, leading to an underestimation of its geopolitical and historical significance. However, textual and archaeological evidence indicates that the Sunchang region, particularly around Sunchang-eup, was situated at a critical junction connecting north-south routes linking the capital with the eastern part of Honam, as well as east-west routes traversing Honam itself. Consequently, due to its strategic geographic location, Sunchang likely held considerable importance as a key transportation node.
Additionally, the existence of burial sites, residential remains, and defensive structures dating to the same period－such as the Sinki site and Daemosanseong Fortress, located near the Sunhwari Stone-chamber Tomb－indicates the formation of a regional governing hub. Based on this evidence, the Sunchang region can be presumed to have served as a strategic hinterland adjacent to Namwon, a prominent candidate site for Baekje’s southern fortress during the Three Kingdoms period.