Koryong, mysterious ancient village, was probably a main city of the federate nation Karakuk (Great Kaya ; A.D. 42 ~ 562). There are row of ancient turf mounds (Tumuli) along the hill behind the village. But their history was absorbed into Silla(A.D. 562) and completely forgotten. Cultures of Karakuk had a powerful influence on ancient Japan at that period. Koryong is located in the junction of two rivers, sometimes could be flooded. Because of it, I think tumuli were probably constructed on the hill.

Yangzondong Petroglyphs

These petroglyphs which were carved on the plain face of rock, were found and reported in 1971. It is placed in yangzondong, koryong, near Taegu, Korea. Concentric circles and several unknown geometrical patterns are carved in a tilted rectangle 2.3m high and 4.3m wide, in which designs looks like a mask that are called 'Kompasic' or 'Paehyong' (similar figures to a bronze tablet or a handle of stone sword), etc., and which are known as only having found in southern Korea.

"The carvings are believed to date to the late Bronze or early Iron Age because some stone implements and earthenware from those times were discovered near hear." (quote from Information Board)

Long long times ago, this place was called 'Alter' in korean which means 'the place of egg'. Legend says a pheasant layed egg near here, but could not hatch. One day, this place was inundated of a heavy rain, the egg flowed into forest in Kimhae. In there, the egg hatched and be a famous man 'Kim Alzee', ancestor of king. But that is a legend. A record in a history book 'Sam-kuk-u-sa' says a little bit different story. (photos taken in Jan, May 1997, written in May 1997)

Anhwari Petroglyphs

These petroglyphs are carved on the cliff rock beside the river, in Anhwari, ssangrim, koryong, 3Km away from Yangzondong to the west. These were found in 1994 by a teacher while a picnic. The patterns 'Kompa' show the method of pecking, and diverse figures of kompa from Yangzondong's. Carvings on the lower rock which measures 90Cm high, 115Cm wide, with patterns of 30~40Cm long. The rock face to the SouthWest.

In 1995, Very special petroglyphs were found on the coverstone while excavating ancient graves No. 30 in Zisandong tumuli, which show the rock carvings of three humanbeings on the lower face and a part of the design 'kompa' on the side face of it. Excavation has not finished, we do not know it is whose grave and when was made. (photos taken in Jan 1997, written in May 1997)