Ceramic vessels from archaeological sites are likely to provide information for understanding past economic activities. Based on the analyses of vessels for storage, it can be inferred how people buffered seasonal variation in food production and accomplished sociopolitical goals by using them.
Analyzing storage capacity of seven Proto-Three Kingdoms Period (1∼300 CE) settlements in the Central Korean Peninsula in comparison to distributional patterns of environmental factors, such as soils, temperature and precipitation, we attempt to understand the variation of storage behavior of their residents. Specifically we focus on the site of Suyanggae, Danyang which shows a storage capacity overwhelming that of others. This site is located on the southeastern edge of the relevant culture area and is characterized by environmental stress due to mountainous settings.
We cover only limited spatiotemporal setting, Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, Central Korean Peninsula. These quantitative approaches to past storage behavior could be applied to different groups facing similar socioeconomic stress.