Abstract

Geoarchaeological investigation is useful for reconstructing domestic activities within an architectural structure based on analysis of physical and chemical components in the soil. Addressing research cases of the use of space in the Middle and Near East during the Neolithic times that successfully demonstrated the utility of geoarchaeological methodologies and introducing relevant and representative geoarchaeological works, this paper aims to provide the background research for promoting prospective studies on the use of space in Korean Neolithic culture. This paper summarizes the study cases following the categories of settlement morphology model (individual structures, intrasettlement and surrounding landscapes) along with the temporal changes of living floor construction. This article surveys previous studies on (i) functionally differentiated spaces (e.g., food processing and cooking, resting and sleeping, livestock rearing, ritual practices) within the living floors of structures, (ii) roads and middens that were spaces for various activities in the vicinity of settlements and (iii) landscapes around settlements in terms of agricultural and pastoral fields. Whereas these studies provide empirical evidence of habitation and use of space, they also extend to theoretical approaches that address how the materiality of a group's prehistoric culture has shaped its character. Reviewing previous studies in the Middle and Near Eastern regions, this paper intends to offer analytical frameworks and references to guide geoarchaeological research applications to the future Korean Neolithic studies primarily through presenting the two notable pilot studies from Gosanri and Hajungdong that have exhibited the methodological potentials.

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