Boundary Types of the Liaodong-Jun(遼東郡) and Foreign Traffic Routes during the Warring States(戰國)․Qin(秦)․Han(漢) periods

Author : ​Song, Jin

Page : 227-266

Abstract

  This study examines boundary types of the Liaodong-Jun(遼東郡) and foreign traffic routes during the Warring States(戰國) ․ Qin(秦) ․ Han(漢) periods. The purpose of this study is to understand traffic Routes between ancient Chinese dynasties and the Gojoseon. 

  The transportation network of ancient China was closely related to the document delivery system of the Xian(縣) unit. The route maintenance always accompanied the expansion or reorganization of local administrative organizations. The boundary defense facilities such as “the beacon” were also the lowest unit of the boundary document delivery system, so the nation's internal transportation network was systematically formed up to the boundary defense facilities. Therefore, the main traffic route from the capital of ancient Chinese dynasties to Gojoseon's Capital was the route to the northern part of the Korean Peninsula after passing through the boundary facilities of Liaodong- Jun.

  Although the problem of determining the extent of Liaodong-Jun during the Warring States period and the location of the boundary with the Gojoseon is controversial, the main traffic route between the Yan(燕) and the Gojoseon can be understood as routes from the border facilities of Liaodong-Jun to the middle and lower reaches of the Yalu River and to the capital of the Gojoseon. Although management methods were changed according to changes of facilities in Liaodong-Jun during the Qin(秦) ․ Han(漢) periods, these roads were generally maintained the same. During the Qin Empire, ‘Wai Jiao(外徼)’ was installed in the area where the Liaodong-Jun and the Gojoseon bordered to effectively control or manage foreign traffic routes. 

  However, since the problem of foreign traffic routes between ancient Chinese dynasties and the Gojoseon is related to the location of their boundaries, there are conflicting opinions on location determination in the academic circles. It is expected that the exact location of their boundaries will be confirmed after archaeological excavations.

< ​​ Key Words >

Ancient China, Liaodong-Jun(遼東郡), The Gojoseon, Boundary Types, Foreign traffic routes, ‘Wai Jiao’(外徼)​