Extremely detailed history with full color photos and detailed illustrations and maps of this ancient Korean military fortress and the ruins and artifacts present there today. Samnyeon Sanseong Fortress, is the ruins of a walled Korean fortress located in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It was built beginning in the year 470, during the Silla period. The fortress is valuable because it shows what building techniques were employed by the Silla during the late fifth century. Additionally, Samnyeon Sanseong Fortress exhibits the characteristics typical of a Korean mountain fortress. There are two general classifications of Korean-style mountain fortress. The Pokok style is a fortress which surrounds the valley while the Teimeui style is a fortress where the walls are built around the peaks of the mountain, sometimes described like a folding screen across the mountain. This fortress follows the Teimeui tradition.The fortress occupied and protected a strategic location and is credited with helping Silla to achieve the unification of Korea. During the late seventh century, Silla used the fortress as a base to attack Baekje to the west while also preparing for advances against Goguryeo to the north. The fortress was pivotal in securing the Han River Valley, the central part of the Korean peninsula. The reputation of the fortress is such that it is said that Wanggeon, the first king of Goryeo, failed in his attempt to take the fortress 918. Excavations in 1983 of artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period up to the Joseon dynasty give clues as to when the fortress was occupied and used. Thousands of tombs also surround the fortress. Another notable feature of the fortress is the presence of engraved calligraphy on a boulder at its entrance, writing that has been attributed to Kim Saeng. Title: Jangmi Sanseong Mountain Fortress Author Name: Young, Cha Location Published: 2011 Binding: hardcover Book Condition: Excellent Pages: 400 Categories: Medieval 500-1400s, Fortifications & Field Works Seller ID: 1806
