Late Pleistocene handaxes from the Korean Peninsula: New discoveries from the Unjeong District Site Complex (UDSC)

Abstract

Several new palaeolithic localities at the Unjeong District Site Complex (UDSC) near the downstream Han River (to the west from Seoul), have yielded Late Pleistocene handaxes (or bifaces). This article introduces general features of three sites—Loc. 5, Loc. 36–5, and Sangjiseokri—in the UDSC and examines the formation processes of their lithic assemblages to discuss the chronological/technological significance of the handaxe component. Our results show that the sites have been under the influence of continuous colluvial/alluvial actions and underwent various post-depositional transformations. However, several chronometric dates furnish a reliable temporal range of handaxe assemblages from MIS 4 (or MIS 5a in maximum) to MIS 3. Overall, the assemblages from the UDSC are characterized by Acheulian-like Mode 2 technology which involves unsophisticated methods and techniques of handaxe manufacture. The less-refined manufacturing technology with significantly younger age of the UDSC handaxes is one of characteristics common in the Korean handaxe group including the more widely known Imjin-Hantan River Area (IHRA) ones. We also re-examine the previous claims for a Middle Pleistocene antiquity of the IHRA handaxes and suggest they need to be rescinded or amended. Discussing the nature of handaxe assemblages such as those of the UDSC and the IHRA will extend our venue of understanding the paleolithic record of East Asia in the future and help us overcome the outdated premises (e.g. the Movius Line) that are sometimes reincarnated even now.