Old Chosŏn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Old Chosŏn
2333 BC (Mythological founding)–108 BC
Old Chosŏn in 108 BC
Capital	Wanggeom City
Common languages	Ye-Maek (Koreanic), Classical Chinese (literary)
Ethnic groups	Yemaek
Religion	Shamanism
Government	Monarchy
King
• 2333 BC? – ?	Tan'gun (first)
• 232 BC? – 220 BC?	Bu
• 220 BC– 194 BC	Jun
Historical era	Ancient
• Established	2333 BC (Mythological founding)
• Coup by Wi Man	194 BC
• Gojoseon–Han War	109–108 BC
• Fall of Wanggeom City	108 BC
Succeeded by Yemaek Samhan Four Commanderies of Han
Today part of	North Korea South Korea China

Gojoseon (also known as Old Chosŏn) was the very first kingdom on the Korean Peninsula. Its name means "Old Joseon" to tell it apart from a later kingdom called Joseon. This ancient kingdom had a very advanced culture for its time. It helped shape the future of more organized states in Korea.

According to Korean mythology, a legendary king named Tan'gun founded Gojoseon in 2333 BCE. The story says he was born from a heavenly prince and a bear-woman. This myth is a big part of Korean identity. Even today, North and South Korea celebrate its founding as Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day).

Some stories also mention Jizi (Gija), a wise man from China. He supposedly came to Korea around 12th century BC and started a state called Gija Joseon. However, historians still discuss if Gija Joseon truly existed.

Later, around 194 BC, a person named Wi Man took control of Gojoseon. He was a refugee from a Chinese state called Yan. His rule began a new period known as Wiman Joseon.

In 108 BC, the powerful Han dynasty of China invaded Wiman Joseon. They conquered the land and set up four areas called commanderies to rule it. Eventually, these areas came under the control of the rising Korean kingdom of Goguryeo in 313 AD.

The capital of Gojoseon was Wanggeom-seong, which is near modern-day Pyongyang. In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, another state called Jin also developed around the 3rd century BC.

The Founding Stories of Gojoseon

Gojoseon has three main founding stories. They tell about Tan'gun, Gija, or Wi Man. These stories help us understand how people thought about their origins.

The Legend of Tan'gun

Heaven Lake on Baekdu Mountain, where Tan'gun's father is said to have come from heaven.

The most famous story is about Tan'gun. It was written down in a 13th-century Korean book called Samguk yusa. This legend says that Tan'gun was the son of a heavenly prince and a bear-woman. He founded Gojoseon in 2333 BC.

The story begins with Hwanung, the son of the Lord of Heaven. Hwanung came down to Baekdu Mountain and started a city. A bear and a tiger wanted to become human. Hwanung told them to live in a cave for 100 days. They could only eat mugwort and garlic. The tiger gave up, but the bear stayed. She turned into a beautiful woman named Ungnyeo. Hwanung married Ungnyeo, and they had a son, Tan'gun.

Historians believe the Tan'gun story is a myth. However, it likely reflects how different groups of people came together to form Gojoseon. The story is very important for Korean culture and identity.

The Story of Gija Joseon

Another story involves Gija. He was a wise man from China's Shang dynasty. The legend says he came to the Korean Peninsula in 1122 BC. He then founded a state called Gija Joseon.

Chinese records from the 3rd century AD mention Gija Joseon. However, there are no Korean records from that early time. The first Korean mentions appeared much later, during the Goryeo dynasty.

For a long time, many Koreans believed Gija brought advanced culture to the region. Today, many experts question if Gija Joseon truly existed. They point to a lack of archaeological evidence. It might have been a symbol for Chinese people who moved to Korea long ago.

The Rise of Wi Man

Wi Man was a military officer from a Chinese state called Yan. He moved to the northern Korean Peninsula around 195 BC. He established his own rule with Wanggeom-seong as his capital. This city is thought to be near modern-day Pyongyang.

A Chinese text from the 3rd century AD says Wi Man took over from King Jun. This event marked the beginning of a new period called Wiman Joseon.

Different Views on Gojoseon's Origins

Historians have different ideas about Gojoseon's early history. Some focus on the Tan'gun myth as a native Korean story. Others discuss the Gija story, though many now doubt its historical accuracy. Wi Man is generally seen as a real historical figure. These different views show how complex ancient history can be.

How Gojoseon Became a State

Approximate location of Gojoseon in 700 BC.

The first mentions of Gojoseon appear in ancient Chinese writings like Guanzi. These texts place Gojoseon near Bohai Bay. They also mention that Gojoseon traded with the Chinese state of Qi.

By the 4th century BC, Gojoseon had grown into a powerful state. It had a clear political system. It was the most advanced state in the Korean Peninsula at that time. Gojoseon expanded by joining with or conquering nearby city-states. This created a large group of political areas between the Taedong and Liao rivers.

As Gojoseon grew, its leader began to be called "king." This was similar to the kings of the Chinese Zhou dynasty. Records show that Gojoseon sometimes had conflicts with the Chinese state of Yan. Gojoseon was known as a prosperous Bronze Age civilization. It had a complex society, including skilled horse-riding warriors. These warriors helped Gojoseon expand north into the Liaodong basin.

Around 300 BC, Gojoseon lost a lot of its western land after a war with the Yan state. However, this shows that Gojoseon was strong enough to fight a major war. It also survived losing a large amount of territory. Gojoseon likely moved its capital to the Pyongyang region around this time.

Wiman Joseon and Its End

The Han dynasty established Four Commanderies of Han in the northern Korean peninsula after conquering Wiman Joseon.

In 195 BC, King Jun of Gojoseon appointed Wi Man to guard the border. Wi Man was a refugee from the Chinese state of Yan. In 194 BCE, Wi Man rebelled and took over the throne of Gojoseon. King Jun then fled to the Jin state in the southern Korean Peninsula.

In 109 BC, the Han dynasty of China, led by Emperor Wu of Han, invaded. The conflict started when Wi Man's grandson, King Ugeo, stopped Jin's ambassadors from reaching the Han dynasty. King Ugeo refused and sent his son, Prince Wi Jang, to escort the ambassador back. However, near the Han border, the ambassador killed Prince Wi Jang. He then falsely told Emperor Wu that he had defeated Joseon in battle.

Emperor Wu, not knowing the truth, made the ambassador a military commander. An angry King Ugeo then attacked Liaodong and killed the commander. Historians also think the Han dynasty might have worried that Gojoseon would team up with the Xiongnu against them.

In response, Emperor Wu launched a two-part attack on Gojoseon, by land and by sea. The Han forces struggled to work together and suffered many losses. Eventually, their commands were combined. The capital, Wanggeom, fell in 108 BC. The Han dynasty took over Gojoseon's lands. They set up Four Commanderies of Han in the western part of the former kingdom.

Gojoseon slowly broke apart in the 1st century BC. Many new states grew from its former territory. These included Buyeo, Okjeo, and Dongye. Later, Goguryeo and Baekje developed from Buyeo.

Gojoseon Culture and Daily Life

Around 2000 BC, people in Gojoseon developed new ways of making pottery. They painted and carved designs onto their pots. These people lived in settled communities and farmed the land. They likely organized themselves into family groups.

Archaeologists have found rectangular huts and large dolmen burial sites across the peninsula. They also found bronze daggers and mirrors. These findings show that small walled-town states existed during this time. The dolmens and bronze daggers found in Korea are unique. They are different from those found in China.

Mumun Pottery

During the Mumun pottery period (1500 – 300 BC), plain, rough pottery became common. This new pottery replaced older styles with comb patterns. This change might have happened because new groups of people moved to Korea from Manchuria and Siberia. This pottery was thicker and came in more shapes. This suggests that kiln technology had improved.

Rice farming was widespread in southern Korea and Manchuria between 1900 BC and 200 AD.

Bronze Tools and Weapons

The Bronze Age in Korea began around 1000 BC. Some estimates say it started between the 13th and 8th centuries BC. Korean Bronze Age culture was influenced by the Liaoning region and Manchuria. However, it also had its own unique styles, especially for ritual objects.

By the 7th century BC, a rich Bronze Age culture flourished in Korea. It showed influences from Manchuria, eastern Mongolia, Siberia, and Scythian bronze styles. Korean bronze items often contained more zinc than those from nearby cultures. Bronze artifacts are mostly found in burial sites. They include swords, spears, daggers, small bells, and mirrors with geometric patterns.

Gojoseon's growth seems connected to its use of bronze technology. A special type of bronze sword, called a "mandolin-shaped dagger," is a key example. These daggers are found in Liaoning, Hebei, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. Their unique shape suggests the wide reach of Gojoseon's influence.

Ancient Tombs

Dolmen Tombs

Large stone structures called dolmens appeared in the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria from about 2000 BC to 400 BC. Around 900 BC, burial practices became more complex. This shows that society was becoming more organized with different social classes.

Korea has more dolmen tombs than any other part of East Asia. These tombs consist of upright stones supporting a large flat stone slab. Other new burial types included stone cists (underground stone-lined chambers) and earthenware jar coffins. The bronze objects, pottery, and jade found in these tombs suggest they were for important people.

Around the 6th century BC, shiny red pottery appeared in dolmen tombs. This pottery was made from fine, iron-rich clay. It was also used for everyday bowls and cups.

Other Types of Tombs

In 1964, archaeologists found the Gangsang tomb and Nusang tomb in the Liaodong peninsula. These tombs are thought to be burial mounds for important local people of Gojoseon.

Iron Culture

Around 300 BC, iron technology arrived in Korea from the Yan state. By the 2nd century BC, iron was being made locally in the southern part of the peninsula. Chinese accounts say that iron from the lower Nakdong River was highly valued across Korea and Japan.

After Gojoseon: New Kingdoms Emerge

After Gojoseon fell, many smaller states and groups formed from its remains. These included Goguryeo, the Buyeo kingdom, Okjeo, and Dongye. Three of the Chinese commanderies that replaced Gojoseon soon fell to local resistance. However, the last one, Nakrang, remained an important trading and cultural center. It was finally destroyed by the growing kingdom of Goguryeo in 313 AD.

King Jun, who was overthrown by Wi Man, reportedly fled to the Jin state in southern Korea. The Jin state later developed into the Samhan confederacies. These were the beginnings of Baekje and Silla. The Samhan confederacies continued to welcome people migrating from the north. King Jun ruled Mahan, one of the Samhan groups, which Baekje later took over.

Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla gradually grew stronger. By around the 4th century, they became the powerful Three Kingdoms of Korea. These three kingdoms then controlled the entire peninsula.

See also

In Spanish: Gojoseon para niños

• Names of Korea
• History of Korea
• Three Confederate States of Gojoseon