Han River culture’s the first Cultivation of Japonica (Danrip) Rice and Beans in the Go-joseon Civilization

Abstract

Go-Joseon civilization was the first ancient East Asian civilization established on the Korean peninsula and Manchuria in 3,000 BC by integrating the Han River culture, the Taedong River culture, and Hongshan culture.<BR> As a preceding foundation of Go-joseon civilization, Han River culture’s contribution to the cultivation of japonica (danrip) rice in 12,500 BP is the start of what is now widely known as “rice farming.” There is evidence of this when japonica rice seeds dating back 12,500 BP ± 150 years were found during excavations near the South Han River and Geum River basin. Additionally, Jodongri-based japonica (danrip) rice seeds (from 4,250~4,290 BC), Dacheonri-based japonica (danrip) rice seeds, wheat, barley, beans, foxtail millet and proso millet (from 3,500 BC) found in close proximity to the South Han River and the Geum River basin, Gawaji rice seeds found near Goyang city (3,360 BC ± 80 years) all provide support for such cultivation. The farming of japonica rice, beans, millet, wheat, and barley also spread to other parts of the Korean peninsula including areas near the Yeongsan River, Seomjin River, Nakdong River, Imjin River, Ryesong (Yeseong) River, Chongchon River, and the Amrok (Yalu) River. Moreover, the Han River culture’s method of rice cultivation traveled to the Liaodong peninsula and was used by the Dongyi (東夷) tribes living near the north of the Yangtze River on the eastern coast of China, and also to Kyushu, Japan. <BR> Although there is evidence of conventional rice cultivation near the Yangtze River, excavation of the Oksumam (玉蟾岩) cave revealed two grains of indica (jangrip) rice dating back to 11,000 bp. When directly comparing japonica rice to indica rice, the former derives from the Neolithic Han River culture, originating from the central region of the Korean peninsula. Following the establishment of the Go-joseon state and civilization, japonica rice cultivation traveled and became prevalent throughout East Asia. <BR> As one of the earliest human independent civilizations, Go-joseon civilization contributed the cultivation of japonica (danrip) rice, and beans and served as a basis for a unique pattern of food culture of rice and soy sauce(and soybean paste) in Korean and East Asian Civilizations.