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Landmine Removal Unearths Medieval Firearm
2 Oct
Summary
- An ancient firearm was discovered near a former military post in South Korea.
- The weapon, a Hwangja Hwatong, dates back to either 1377 or 1437.
- This artifact is crucial for understanding early Korean military history.
During demining operations at South Korea's Geumseong Mountain, soldiers discovered an ancient firearm. Initially mistaken for a landmine in 2023, the object was identified by experts as a "Hwangja Hwatong," a medieval gunpowder weapon. Inscriptions suggest a manufacturing date of either 1377 or 1437, placing it among the earliest firearms recorded in Korea.
This discovery holds significant importance for military history. Researchers are currently working to precisely determine the weapon's age, noting that both potential dates align with periods of conflict against Japanese pirates. The firearm's design predates a major technological shift in Korean weaponry around 1445.
The Hwangja Hwatong will be displayed at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul from September 23 to November 22, 2026. Further details are anticipated as investigations into the artifact and its discovery site continue.
