Cattle bones from Joseon Dynasty found at urban redevelopment site near Jongmyo Shrine

A significant quantity of cattle bones, believed to have been buried during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), were discovered near Jongmyo Shrine in central Seoul.

Cattle bones have been excavated at the redevelopment site of Sewoon District No. 4 in central Seoul. [HANUL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE]

A significant quantity of cattle bones, believed to have been buried during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), were discovered near Jongmyo Shrine in central Seoul.

The Korea Heritage Service announced Wednesday that pits containing cattle bones were found at the site of the urban redevelopment project in Sewoon District No. 4 in Jongno District, central Seoul. The pits are approximately 1 meter deep (3.3 feet). Based on the types and quantities of the bones recovered so far, it is estimated that at least seven to eight animals were buried there.

Hanul Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, responsible for the excavation, said that it discovered the skulls of animals presumed to be cows and investigated the area.

“We found more than 10 pits containing cattle bones,” said an official from the institute, adding that discovering such a large quantity of cattle bones is unprecedented.

It has been reported that the organizations working at the Sewoon District No. 4 site have been discovering a number of animal bones during the excavation. Most of the discovered bones are relatively intact, according to the Hanul institution, adding that they have no signs of being cut or exposed to heat.

The institution said its researchers believe that the bones were not “discarded after consuming the meat but were likely buried intentionally for a specific purpose.”

Jongmyo is a shrine dedicated to the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as those posthumously recognized as kings and queens. The ancestral rites held at Jongmyo were significant events for the Joseon royal family.

Cattle bones have been excavated at a redevelopment site of Sewoon District no. 4 in central Seoul. [HANUL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE]

An official from the Hanul institute said since the bones were discovered near Jongmyo, it’s highly likely that the cattle were buried as part of ceremonial rites during the Joseon Dynasty.

The area is also near Cheonggyecheon — the stream that runs through downtown Seoul — leading researchers to consider the historical accounts of the markets near Majeon Bridge, where cattle and horses were traded in the old city.

The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association said they plan to transfer the excavated bones to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage later this month for further examination.

BY HYEON YE-SEUL,YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]