Prehistoric Carvings of Cheonjeon-ri (천전 리각석)
After four and a half years living in Gyeongju, we finally decided to get a car last week. So for it’s first road trip, my friend and I set off to check out the prehistoric rock carvings of Cheonjeon-ri (천전 리각석). I’d never been there before and they’re only about 20 minutes south of Gyeongju, just off of N.R. 35.
Prehistoric Carvings of Cheonjeon-ri
The petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri are nestled in a bend in the Taehwa River (태화 강변), making it a lovely picnicking spot when the weather warms up. There are actually quite a number of prehistoric carvings in this part of Korea (in fact, there are some in town, on the cliffs by Dongguk University ). The carvings at Cheongjeon-ri are some of the best preserved in the area, largely thanks to the rock face tilting forward protecting them from the rain.
Prehistoric Carvings of Cheonjeon-ri (천전 리각석)
Most of the carvings are quite distinct and it’s easy to make out geometrical patterns, several animals and even a human face. The upper carvings are from the late Stone Age and Bronze Age and are assumed to have been carved for some sort of ritual purpose.
Prehistoric Carvings of Cheonjeon-ri (천전 리각석)
Interestingly enough, lower on the rock face are more recent carvings dating from the Three Kingdoms period of the Shilla (신라) Dynasty. Apparently this site was sacred to the Hwarang warriors and the carvings from that era are related to their rituals and training. The carvings themselves were rediscovered in 1970 by field researchers from Dongguk University.
Dinosaur Footprints, Cheonjeon-ri (천전 리)
As an added bonus, in the bedrock of the river next to the carvings are fossilized dinosaur footprints. Apparently they’ve found over 200 foot prints in the area, all from large and medium herbivores of the Lower Cretaceous period (about 100 million years ago). Most are a little difficult to make out thanks to the river erosion, but some are quite distinct. According to the literature, many footprints are from Sauropods like the Ultrasaurus from the pattern of the footprints, they believe the creatures were strolling about feeding.
Dinosaur Footprints, Cheonjeon-ri
Directions: The Cheonjeon-ri Petroglyphs are a bit tricky to get to without a car. You could try catching a local bus from Eonyang (언양) or Ulsan. If you’ve got wheels though, they make a nice little detour on the way to Tongdosa (통도사) or Busan , along with the nearby Petroglyphs of Bangudae.
Follow National Road 35 South out of Gyeongju for about 20 or 30 minutes (if you get to the town of Eonyang or 언양, you’ve gone too far). After you go through the village of Hwalcheon-ri, you’ll cross under Highway #1. After about 5 minutes, be on the look out for signs to the petroglyphs. You’ll exit to the right and double back around going under NR 35, Highway 1 and the KTX tracks and past a football field. Follow the signs back the country road for about 10 minutes and you’re there.
