Settlement History Research Articles

The challenges of urban conservation in the historic city of Puri

Since antiquity, Puri, known for excellence in the field of art and architecture, has been one of the Char Dhams (holy places) of the Hindu Pilgrimage of India. India is rich in temples and historical settlements from the ancient Kashi to Char Dhams. The abode of Shree Jagannath, Puri, is one of the cardinal centres of pilgrimage for Hinduism. Puri, the cultural capital of Odisha, connects thousands of pilgrims to spirituality through its art, culture, heritage and Jagannath traditions. In the eastern state of India, Odisha is an uncharted gem of cultures and traditions with literature and architecture, picturesque beaches and wilderness, with Puri as its focal point. Puri has a distinctive blend of ethnicity, culture and tradition with an eclectic flair. The city accounts for about half of the tourist inflow to the state while tripling it during the Rath Yatra — the annual chariot festival. Situated on the Bay of Bengal, Puri, a high disaster risk zone, often encounters natural catastrophes such as heavy rainfall, floods, thunderstorms and severe cyclonic storms. Despite its importance and numerous governmental schemes, cultural heritage is always vulnerable to damage and destruction. This makes the documentation and sensitive planning approach to the conservation of the pilgrim city of the utmost importance. Based on secondary data and extensive surveys, this paper construes the multifaceted challenges of Puri with emphasis on its sociocultural identities, critically exploring the city in its contemporary form with the urban conservation initiatives undertaken by authorities. It summarises that modification in the planning approach is mandated to achieve its optimum potential to be revered as a world-class heritage city.

Dental modification techniques in Neolithic and modern Cambodia

Intentional dental modifications are known to have occurred on several continents at different periods and have been used as a diachronic bio-cultural marker to reconstruct the history of human settlement on different geographical scales. Such practices, present since the Neolithic in Southeast Asia, are thought to have originated in China and to co-exist in different forms in archaeological sites. There are many gaps and the proportion of archaeological evidence of these practices varies, making it impossible to trace their history and evolution perfectly. However, in Cambodia, cases of dental ablations are known from the Neolithic, the Metal Age and historical periods, and joint cases of dental abrasions or ablations have been attested since the Metal Age. As cases of dental abrasion were documented right up to the end of the twentieth century, this article aims to provide information on the still living memory of the motivations and techniques used by the mountain populations of Cambodia. As a complement and in comparison, we will present the unpublished cases of the Neolithic burials at the Laang Spean site, which bear witness to similar practices and raise questions about their relationship with those that persist today among certain ethnic groups.

Replacement of cast iron piers on an 1886 wrought iron truss bridge in New South Wales, Australia – the challenge of preserving heritage significance during major rehabilitation work

The Namoi River Road Bridge is a colonial era high level wrought iron lattice truss bridge crossing the Namoi River (Manilla) built in 1886 to replace a dangerous river crossing. The bridge was part of the main road between Sydney (New South Wales – NSW), and Brisbane (Queensland), with the opening of the bridge allowing wool trade from the northern extents of the colony of NSW to be exported via the Port of Sydney. The six approach spans crossing the southern flood plain have history of differential settlement due to ground conditions which has resulted in damage to five bridge piers and variations to the vertical alignment of the bridge. This paper describes the method employed to restore the vertical alignment of the bridge and replace the damaged piers whilst ensuring retention of the structure’s cultural heritage significance, enabling the bridge to continue to operate as part of the NSW State Road network.

Searching for hidden waters: The effectiveness of remote sensing in assessing the distribution and status of a traditional, earthen irrigation system (khettara) in Morocco

This paper presents the results of a multi-year, interdisciplinary project that aimed to assess the holistic status of the khettara system in Morocco. The khettara (also known as qanat) is a traditional, earthen water management system. Historically the system was used for settlement in regions without access to reliable surface water. It is both a world and local heritage structure, found in rural and urban regions throughout 46 countries. Recent evaluations of this traditional system have advocated for its preservation and use in arid and semi-arid regions, as modern technologies (pump wells, industrial dams, drip irrigation, etc.) have proven to be unsustainable. This project evaluates remote sensing as a tool for assessing the distribution and status of the khettara in Morocco. The results of this project demonstrate that (1) the khettara system played a large role in the historic settlement of arid and semi-arid regions, and (2) the system continues to be an important part of agriculture and life in many oases across Morocco.

Роль Пензенского церковного историко-археологического и статистического комитета в формировании общественного интереса к провинциальной повседневности (по материалам "Пензенских епархиальных ведомостей")

The article analyzes the activities of the Penza Church Historical, Archaeological and Statistical Committee for the Preservation of the History and Description of the Daily Life of Cities, Villages and Parishes of the Penza Diocese.As a source for studying this problem, the materials of the «Penza diocesan gazette» (1866-1917) were used, on the pages of which articles and essays of members of the Committee were published.Documents on the organization of the Penza Church Historical, Archaeological and Statistical Committee, as well as numerous publications of its members, have been studied. The reasons for the organization of the Committee, its place and role in the system of historical and archival institutions of the Penza province were investigated; organizational structure and composition; quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results of the activity was carried out; a description of the clergy'perception of parish life in the cities and villages of the Penza diocese, as well as the peculiarities of the class organization of Russian society in the era of modernization, using the example of the peasantry and clergy, was given.The historical, archaeological and statistical committee acted at the Penza Theological Seminary from February 14 (27), 1902 until 1918. This body played a prominent role in shaping public interest in local history and provincial everyday life. The Orthodox clergy was involved in expeditionary research of the provincial "living history," not recorded in historical documents, but transmitted from generation to generation according to oral tradition. The description of the modern state of the parishes was carried out, in modern terms, through the "included observation" of the priests themselves. The activities of the Committee significantly complemented the research results of the Provincial Statistical Committee.The analysis of publications in the Penza diocesan gazette convinces that representatives of the Orthodox clergy, having the initial goal of collecting and summarizing information on the history of the Russian Church in the Penza Territory, describing the history of settlements, churches, monasteries and parishes, discovered crisis bias in the development of the entire Russian society. While describing the daily life of the province, it turned out that the clergy and peasantry underwent unfavorable historical circumstances. The acute shortage of arable land became widespread and everyday phenomena; the insufficient level of development of education and medicine, as well as technical equipment of peasant farms; lack of productive land-cultivation practices, mass poverty, the low crop capacity and recurrent hunger; forced migration in the conditions of "latrine" industries, etc. The consequences of the above phenomena were the extinction of the cultural traditions of the peasant world, the rupture of stable social ties and crisis phenomena in the religious and moral state of society. The clergy fully shared the hardships of the daily life of the peasantry, experiencing a poor financial situation. Essays on the history of villages and parishes, compiled by members of the Committee, were a signal for the deep reform of society.

The Impact of Past Human Activities on the Current State of Vegetation in Historical Settlements of a Wine-Growing Cultural Landscape (Svätý Jur, Slovakia)

The aim of our study is to reconstruct the human influence on the current vegetation in selected parts of the cadastral territory of Svätý Jur. Svätý Jur is a town with more than 700 years of winemaking tradition, located on the oak-hornbeam-forested slopes of the Little Carpathians and surrounded by terraced vineyards. Human activity has changed the natural landscape of Svätý Jur since the Neolithic period. It is possible to trace the influence of past human activities on current vegetation by mapping vegetation onto historical landscape structures. For our research, we chose two study sites—Biely Kameň Castle and Hillfort Neštich. Our research has shown that there are significant differences in plant communities as well as in their environmental requirements between the investigated sites. Nitrophilous species indicative of human activities were recorded at both sites. At Hillfort Neštich, we recorded the occurrence of an interesting combination of species of Atropa, Phytolacca and Rubus. We have recorded their current occurrence and searched for its causes. In addition, we evaluate the current state of the vegetation of the castle and the hillfort in relation to the human past and today’s use.

USE OF TOPONYMS OF THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN PODILLIA IN EXCURSION ACTIVITIES (TERNOPIL REGION)

The article emphasizes the importance of awakening national consciousness and patriotism through the organization and provision of excursion services based on local history material. It is important to involve the young generation in researching and learning about the region, for the sake of expanding its national memory and outlook, awakening pride in its past and future, and understanding Ukrainian identity. The geographical and historical features of the origin of the names of selected settlements of the Ternopil region, their meaning, development, current state, spelling and pronunciation have been studied. The toponymy of the Ternopil region is extremely rich and unexplored at the same time and has many prospects for its use for the implementation of excursion activities. For toponymic research, tourism workers can use a geographical map, archival and literary materials, and official reference sources. In the course of this study, the origin of the names of the most interesting for tourist and excursion activities, settlements of the Ternopil region, which are located directly on excursion routes or close to their passage, is described. Also, an important criterion for the selection of these settlements was the interesting features of historical, natural or human factors that influenced the formation of their names, which makes it possible to acquaint the users of excursion services with the history of Ternopil Oblast through its reflection of the geography and history of the region in these names. This information makes it possible to fill the tour guide's story, as an important component of the tour, with interesting material along the entire tour route and makes it possible to implement various methods of the tour method. Recommendations are given for improving the methodology of conducting any excursion using the research material. The article emphasizes the relevance of such local history and toponymic research in modern society, which makes it possible to get acquainted with the history of settlements in the Ternopil region, to study the peculiarities of the formation of the names of cities and villages of the region due to many factors, among which geographical and historical factors take the main position. Motivating and involving young people in such knowledge of the region for the sake of expanding their national memory and outlook is also relevant. Keywords: toponymic studies; toponyms; settlement; origin of the name of the village; history of the city; organization of excursion services; road excursion information; methodological techniques; method of conducting excursions.

Pilgrim Town of Philoxenite and Settlement Continuation in the Early Islamic Hinterland of Alexandria, Egypt

The history of settlements in the Mareotis region or the immediate hinterland of Alexandria in the first century following the Arab conquest of Egypt has not been sufficiently studied. Earlier findings stated that the region had suffered a settlement crisis prior to the second half of the 7th century AD, with an unstable hydrological situation as the contributing factor. Those findings contradicted the results of the archaeological excavations at Philoxenite, a town located in the western part of the Mareotis region. The Byzantine buildings and public spaces studied at that site had been in use until the first half of the 8th century. Upon analysis, the associated sequences of layers and structures imply that their uses were subject to modification. Putting these findings into the context of a regional perspective leads to the conclusion that the settlement history of Alexandria’s western hinterland was more complex than previously thought. Not only does this concern the difficulties in accessing water, but also the decrease in Christian pilgrimage traffic as important factors responsible for the changes.

Redefinition of Rural Spaces: A Methodological Tool

The desolation of rural areas and historic settlements is a particularly intense phenomenon in recent decades. Gradually, the tradition and history of these places are being worn away leading to the alteration of their identity. The economy is monopolized by the service and tourism sectors and quite often, this converts them into a seasonal touristic product.
 The "redefinition" of the rural space is a necessary condition in order to formulate a sustainable strategic plan which will respond to contemporary needs and at the same time, respect the uniqueness of the place and preserve its cultural identity.
 This paper attempts to highlight a methodological tool for the planning of the rural areas, in terms of protecting and promoting them, on the occasion of the research carried out in the context of a diploma project for the broader region of Fodele village, in northern Heraklion (Crete).
 A key element for the research is the utilization of endogenous resources and their correlation with extraneous trends. Using this tool, conceptual networks of different resource types are created. By projecting these networks onto the space, and taking into consideration geospatial criteria (proximity, topography, type of resource), spatial units of particular identity are being formed. Resources- networks of social type and stakeholders co-act to implement a strategic plan for the revitalization and promotion of the spatial units (anthropogenic and physical environment).
 The procedure relates to a system of successive space readings and interpretative mapping at multiple scales. The conclusions derived from each stage lead to the next. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary process forms the essential background and design principles, for the articulation of a comprehensive strategic plan, aiming at the revitalization of the rural space and its sustainable development/enhancement (cultural, heritage, economic, environmental, etc.) in contemporary terms.

A BRIEF EXCURSION INTO THE HISTORY OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE EASTERN PART OF THE MALOPURGINSKY DISTRICT OF THE UDMURT REPUBLIC

The article is devoted to the history of settlement of the eastern part of the Malopurginsky district of the Udmurt Republic. Since the formation and development of an ethnic group undoubtedly affects the development of the language, the study focuses on the ethnic and tribal affiliation of Udmurt groups living in the territory of the Malopurginsky district. The relevance of this work is connected with the need for a deeper study of both the Middle Udmurt dialects in particular, and all dialects of the Udmurt language in general. Having analyzed the ethnographic, historical, toponymic and folklore-dialectological material, the author of this article was able to identify the vorshud-generic composition of the villages of this area and the regions of these groups early residence. On the data obtained, it was found that of the 70 vorshud-generic groups represented on the territory of Udmurtia, 15 participated in the formation of the area we studied, moreover, the settlement of the territory took part by completely different ethnic groups: southern (Pelga, Bödya, Omga), northern (Chola, Syanya, Egra, Purga), middle (Venya, Bigra) by arsk groups (Nörya, Turya, Kuarsa, Pokol) and кalmez groups (Mozhga, Dökya) udmurts at the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries. In the future, the data obtained will allow us to study the linguistic formation of the region, i.e. to reveal how one or another linguistic feature of a certain group of the Udmurts served to form the middle dialects of the Udmurt language.

Plants out of place: How appreciation of weeds unsettles nature in New Zealand

AbstractWeeds are known as ‘plants out of place’, but how do we come to understand what belongs in place and what does not? Organisms that thrive beyond boundaries of control threaten life that is ‘in place’, or nature. As a threat to life and nature, weeds are transformed into objects of hate and elimination. Exploring the collective hate of weeds helps to untangle the affective dimensions of colonisation. Using the story of the blackberry in Dunedin, both through its settler history and contemporary relationship with urban foragers, this paper describes how weeds have become powerful affective objects.

FORMER PALACE VILLAGES OF MOSCOW AND OTHER UYEZDS OF CENTRAL RUSSIA: THE CURRENT SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CONDITION

When setting the goal and objectives of this article, the author proceeded from the fact that the well-studied early history of the palace settlements (dvortsovoe settlements) of Moscow uyezd and other central uyezds of the Russian State is very rarely integrated into the study of their current state, largely formed under the influence of their past as palace settlements. The sources for the article comprise numerous reference books on the history of the former palace estates, as well as online resources based on official primary sources on the current state of particular settlements. The author has identified the main socio-demographic characteristics of 162 out of the 178 settlements included in the List of palace volosts and villages for 1705. The settlements whose historical fate has not been identified are either those whose names have changed beyond recognition or the ones that have completely melted into other settlements. A quantitative analysis of various administrative and socio-demographic parameters of the former palace villages, first of all, made it possible to trace changes in the settlement status of the former palace villages of Central Russia in the 18th - early 21st centuries and to reveal isolated cases of the complete disappearance of the former palace settlements. The analysis of the changes in the administrative status of the former palace villages has shown that the potential given to them when they were founded, was eventually instrumental in the transformation of the two-thirds of them into local administrative centers. The article interprets population growth in 70% of studied palace settlements, which continued up to the end of the 20th century, as an indicator of their successful demographic development. A study of the socio-economic development of the palace villages led to the conclusion that many of them in the 18th-19th centuries became and now remain local commercial, industrial and socio-cultural centers. In conclusion, the article states that a number of long-term historical, historical-geographical, historical-cultural factors contributed to successful, and unparalleled at present, socio-demographic development of almost one and a half hundred former palace settlements. This relative success manifested itself against the backdrop of the withering of thousands of Russian rural settlements.

Reconstructing long-term settlement histories on complex alluvial floodplains by integrating historical map analysis and remote-sensing: an archaeological analysis of the landscape of the Indus River Basin

Alluvial floodplains were one of the major venues of the development and long-term transformation of urban agrarian-based societies. The historical relationship between human societies and riverine environments created a rich archaeological record, but it is one that is not always easy to access due to the dynamism of alluvial floodplains and the geomorphological processes driven their hydrological regimes. Alluvial floodplains are also targeted for urban and agricultural expansion, which both have the potential to pose threats to cultural heritage and the environment if not carefully managed. Analysis that combines Historical Cartography and Remote Sensing sources to identify potential archaeological sites and river palaeochannels is an important first step towards the reconstruction of settlement patterns in different historical periods and their relationship to the history of hydrological networks. We are able to use different computational methods to great effect, including algorithms to enhance the visualization of different features of the landscape; and for processing large quantity of data using Machine-Learning based methods. Here we integrate those methods for the first time in a single study case: a section of the Indus River basin. Using a combined approach, it has been possible to map the historical hydrological network in a detail never achieved before and identify hundreds of potential archaeological sites previously unknown. Discussing these datasets together, we address the interpretation of the archaeological record, and highlight how Remote Sensing approaches can inform future research, heritage documentation, management, and preservation. The paper concludes with a targeted analysis of our datasets in the light of previous field-based research in order to provide preliminary insights on how long-term processes might have re-worked historical landscapes and their potential implications for the study of settlement patterns in different Historical periods in this region, thereby highlighting the potential for such integrated approaches.

The wildland-urban interface in Poland reflects legacies of historical national borders

ContextThe wildland-urban interface (WUI) is an area where houses are located near wildland vegetation. As such, the WUI is a focal area of wildfire risk, human-wildlife conflicts, and other human-nature interactions. Although there is a wide consensus on the impact WUI existence might have, little is known about the WUI spatial determinants over long periods, especially in countries with long settlement history.ObjectivesOur goal here was to map the WUI across Poland, and to quantify the extent to which historical legacies shape current WUI pattern, since Poland is one of the countries, which experienced substantial political changes over time, which had an impact on historical settlement development.MethodsWe analysed a database of nearly 15 million building locations and a 10-m Sentinel-2-based land cover map to produce a country-wide WUI map of Poland. Then we compared the WUI pattern among parts of Poland which belonged to different political entities in 1900s and 1930s and also among different ecoregions. Lastly, we verified the effects of the historical borders or landscape units borders on WUI patterns with a discontinuity analysis.ResultsWe found that a substantial part of Poland is WUI, and over 60% of all buildings are in WUI. However, WUI patterns differ considerably across the country, and WUI hotspots are located around the largest metropolitan areas in central and southern part of Poland and in the Carpathians. Furthermore, WUI patterns reflect pre-1945 national borders indicating long-term legacies of past settlement patterns and urban planning approaches. Diversity among ecoregions was much less pronounced than among past political entities.ConclusionsOur work shows that current WUI pattern is to large extent shaped by former political conditions, which is likely true not only in Poland, but also in many parts of Europe and elsewhere where settlement history goes back centuries.

Folklore narratives on the toponymy of the Russian Far North (Based on the Yukaghir, Even, and Yakut languages)

ABSTRACT We examine the historical toponymic system of the Russian Far North in the context of folklore traditions of Indigenous peoples of the North. Our methodology is narrative analysis, aimed at identifying the semantic features of toponyms, whose origins lie in traditional legends and tales. We treat toponyms as geocultural codes, which provide not only ethnocultural data but also geographic and spatial information. We present shared patterns in the naming practices of geo-objects among the Yukaghirs, Evens, and Yakuts (Sakha), and the ways that these practices are rooted in folklore. We also examine ethno-cultural differences in toponym naming among these three groups. We identify four broad strategies in the naming of geo-objects in northern regions: anthroponymic, commemoration of events, after sacred concepts, and after common household objects and concepts. In addition to linguistic information encoded by toponyms, it is also possible to establish extralinguistic information about the historical settlement of different peoples, contact among them, and their societal values. Such anthropological studies are relevant for onomastics and linguistic typology. Through the present study, we are able to gain a better understanding of Indigenous cultural development in the Russian Far North and the nature of inter-ethnic relations before written history.

KORUMA VE TURİZM İLİŞKİSİ BAĞLAMINDA İZMİR / FOÇA’DA OSMANLI DÖNEMİ İSLAMİ İBADET YAPILARI

Architectural conservation and tourism are two concepts that affect each other in many ways. The relationship between conservation and tourism, which has developed rapidly in the historical process, has been strengthened with the change and diversification of expectations from tourism. There are many examples of associating architectural heritage with touristic functions in Anatolian settlements where the relationship between conservation and tourism can be seen intensely. One of these examples is the settlement of Foca, which draws attention with its coastal tourism, natural qualities and cultural features. The architectural heritage that strengthens the relationship between conservation and tourism in Foca consists mostly of civil architectural works. In addition, the Ottoman period worship structures in the settlement also have qualities worth examining. While adding value to Foca's tourism potential; at the same time, bringing these structures to the forefront, which should be conserved and delivered to the future, is important in the context of the development of the relationship between conservation and tourism in the region. From this point of view, the study aims to draw attention to the importance of conserving the original elements of settlements with cultural heritage value, as well as keeping them alive through tourism. Scope of work; Fatih Mosque, Kayalar Mosque and Hafız Suleyman Masjid, which have survived to the present day with their spatial qualities and traditional architectural features, will be discussed in the context of the relationship between conservation and tourism. The method of the study, besides the literature and field research related to the structures examined; the study on the qualities that the conservation and tourism relationship brings to the settlements includes the evaluation of the data together. As a result of the study, especially Foca and other historical settlements in Anatolia; it is thought that it will contribute to the conservation of similar heritage and to the development of its relationship with tourism.

New evidence on the early human occupation in Sumba Islands

Sumba is one of the islands in the archipelago that plays an essential role in the migration process of Austronesian speakers. This island is considered one of the contact zones that can show initial interactions between Austronesian speakers and residents who have inhabited this island before. However, archaeological research on this island is still relatively limited, so it cannot yet provide evidence of the arrival of early Austronesian speakers. However, in 2016–2022, several archaeological studies were conducted in Sumba and revealed essential sites with quite old dates. This article discusses the new evidence found at several sites, notably Lambanapu, Melolo, Kambaniru, Mborobakung, and Wunga. Among the research results are individual remains, burial jars, and artifacts that can provide a new understanding of the history of Austronesian settlements on Sumba. Some of the 14C datings show that Austronesian speakers with a complex culture inhabited this island around 3000years ago.

WATER RESOURCES AND VILLAGE MORPHOLOGY: LESSONS FROM THREE TRADITIONAL IRANIAN VILLAGES

Water plays an increasingly prominent role in the contemporary world, but its significance has been evident throughout history, particularly in arid climates like Iran. Understanding the impact of water on the built environments, such as villages, is crucial for comprehending the form and effects that have shaped these historical settlements, which are an integral part of each country's heritage. Therefore, a comprehensive review and analysis of the water's influence on the morphology of these villages becomes essential. This study explores the utilization of various water sources and management practices in different distinct types of traditional villages in the center of Iran, and their impact on the villages' morphology. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the influence of water on the different types of village forms found in this region. By examining the diversity of water sources and their management methods, this study illustrates how they have impacted the form of villages. The findings derived from this research are beneficial for the preservation of historical heritages and rural development plans, especially with the threat of climate change and water scarcity. The study begins with a literature review and then, through site surveys, focuses on analyzing the effects of water on the selected case studies in Iran. It highlights the crucial role that the availability and management of water resources play in a village's development and sustainability, as well as its form and morphology. Finally, it compares the results between each case study.

The Origin and Evolution of Chinese Settlements in Yishun, Singapore (1819-1991)

The kampong spirit is regarded as the foundation of Chinese culture in Singapore, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has repeatedly emphasized the importance of "reshaping the kampong spirit" for Singaporean society. The "Kampong Spirit" was born in the early Chinese settlements in Singapore, and it is also the product of comprehensive factors such as specific history, geography, humanities, and political environment. From the unique perspective of historical settlement geography, combined with maps and archives, this paper uses the theory of man-land relationship to discuss the origin, basic characteristics and development of Chinese settlements in modern Singapore by taking the representative Chinese settlements in the Yishun area of Singapore as a case in the early days. Evolution. The origin of early Chinese settlements was based on the background of the relationship between people and land in the Seletar River Basin at the end of the 19th century; the southward immigration wave and the Raffles business policy since the opening of Singapore were also important macro-environmental supports for the origin of the settlements; the unique physical geography of the Yishun area Resources stimulated the vigorous development of planting economy, and the superposition of these factors promoted the development of immigrant settlement areas, and finally formed Chinese villages that combined blood, geography, industry and dialect ties. Before and after Singapore's independence in 1965, due to the acceleration of urbanization and the double influence of the ruling party's policy of "home ownership" to benefit the people, traditional Chinese settlements were gradually replaced by modern HDB communities, thus completing the temporal and spatial evolution of settlements .

The Metaverse as a Digital Missionary Site

The metaverse attracts considerable attention in politics, economy, society and culture. Unfortunately, seminaries and churches are still in their early stages of missiological research and understanding the metaverse. If we understand the metaverse as a digital mission field, research on the missiological approach is required. We should pay attention to the infinitely expanding and integrating metaverse. Overseas, there is already a history of experimental challenges and settlements from decades ago on the potential for churches in virtual spaces. While online churches are famous in Korea, there is insufficient understanding of ways to meet the younger generation of non-believers in the metaverse. Since online churches are analogue enterprises, there is a massive gap between them and the digital younger generation. Paul Hiebert’s critical contextualization is still valid in approaching the metaverse as a digital mission field. Heidi Campbell’s study of the relationship between media and religions, “religious-social shaping approach to technology” reminds Korean churches of the value of the metaverse as a new media. Both theories show Korean churches need dialogue and patience when approaching the metaverse to contact non-believers. Missiological discussions on the metaverse should promote a holistic understanding in which the two worlds closely relate rather than a dualistic understanding. The digital living spaceof the MZ generation that emerged with the development of new technology does not conflict with the nature of the Christian Church. Therefore, Korean churches need to understand the metaverse as a space of mission and coexistence.