(Special Exhibition) Haenam Celadon from Goryeo Shipwrecks
The region of Haenam was the largest production center of celadon vessels during the Goryeo period, and the brownish-green vessels embodying a simple yet austere aesthetics were widely popular among the people at the time. A greater number of celadon kilns were operated in Haenam-gun than in Gangjin-gun, though the productions were not of the highest quality. A few among these kilns were designated as Historic Site No. 310 in 1985. Surveys and excavations were carried out twice—first in 1992 and second time from 2017 to 2018—revealing more kiln sites and re artifacts. Easy access to both seas west and south of Korea made Haenam the hub of green celadon. The productions yielded from the kilns were transported via the costal route to various places across the kingdom of Goryeo. The traces of such active manufacturing and distribution have survived deep underwater for more than a millennium. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage have conducted underwater excavations from 1983 to 2018 in Wando-gun, Sibidongpado Islands in Gunsan-si, Mado Island in Taean-gun, Jindo Island in Jindo-gun, and Nagwoldo Island in Yeongwang-gun, resulting in great accomplishments including the unearthing of a number of Goryeo shipwrecks and more than 40,000 celadon vessels produced in the kilns in Haenam-gun. This special exhibition is particularly meaningful as it introduces the achievements of the 40 years of survey and research of Goryeo shipwrecks and Haenam celadon. The exhibition will offer an opportunity to understand and reevaluate the Haenam celadon through an overview of its production, maritime transportation, and consumption.