The Third Capital of Koguryo in Pyongyang

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study on the third capital of the Koguryo state during its late period (5^th – 7^th centuries). The main Korean and Chinese narrative and epigraphic sources are examined and analyzed to describe the capital to be modern-day Pyongyang. The capital during this time is generally associated with the territory of present-day Pyongyang, though its exact location remains a subject of debate. Although there are references to Pyongyang before the capital was moved in 427. Two major stages are identified, which can be referred to as “Early” Pyongyang and “Late” Pyongyang (Chang’an). Narrative and epigraphic sources are supplemented by archaeological data from the fortress sites such as Daesong, Anhakgung, Cheonamdong, and Pyongyang, located in this area and correlated with the capital site at each stage. All these settlements are large in size, and inside there are remains of large administrative buildings. Anhakgung was usually considered a palace complex, a centre in a plain place during this period, and the Daesong mountain settlement had a defensive function. Recently, the Cheonamdong fortress or only Daesong mountain settlement began to have been considered as the centre of “early” Pyongyang. Material evidence from these sites does not always allow for a clear interpretation when compared with written sources. “Late” Pyongyang (Chang’an in written sources) was located on a larger territory of the modern Pyongyang city, and ramparts and a number of objects from the Koguryo period were discovered. More extensive archaeological research in the Pyongyang area would enable a reconstruction of the capital system during the late period of Koguryo. Even during the Koguryo era, it already functioned as a developed administrative, political, economic, and military centre of the state, continuing to do so to the present day.