Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer ISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online) 한국토양비료학회 학회지

In research on archaeology, locating archaeological relics involves a methodology called “paleotopographic analysis.” In this analysis, past aerial photographs are decoded and combined with a synthesis of topographical data such as soil and geological maps and archaeological stratum data. However, there continues to be a lack of methodological research and discussions on validating the analysis. There is a need, therefore, to establish the criteria for geological classification and the reading of a site’s morphological features to present objective evidence of paleotopographic analysis through aerial photographs. In this respect, soil maps of the Soil and Environmental Information System of Korea published by the Rural Development Administration can be used as an important source of analysis. The soil map applies methods similar to paleotopographic analysis, which helps in identifying the macroscopic topographical features of a site. Once the classification of topography via soil maps is complete, the fine topography and traces of historical sites can be identified by decoding aerial photographs. The classification of micro-geographical features can be read based on color tone and color and types of arable land. Topographic classification largely divides sites into mountainous areas and lowlands, and finer topographical features can be identified within this. Analyzing the color tone and color used in different shades of black and white can help in identifying the different types of landscape depicted by them. On farmlands, Buried fine topographical features can be examined by observing and analyzing the direction of ridges between cultivation fields. Fine topographies identified thus based on these decoding criteria should again lead to the reading and interpretation of natural and artificial traces. Human activities are observed by (a) distinguishing traces of artificial structures in mountainous terrains; (b) identifying landforms, fine highlands, fine lowlands, and waterways in lowlands; and (c) traces of artificial landforms. Once the criteria and interpretation of these decoding results are clarified, discussions on human settlements based on topography as well as on finding archaeological relics underneath the soil become feasible.

Example of Gyeongju topography classification. : Hwang and Yoon (2013), : National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2014), : Chang (2020).