바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

The Review of Korean Studies

  • P-ISSN1229-0076
  • E-ISSN2773-9351
  • SCOPUS, ESCI

National Narratives and Archaeology: Thoughts on Koreaness and Hellenism

The Review of Korean Studies / The Review of Korean Studies, (P)1229-0076; (E)2773-9351
2008, v.11 no.2, pp.59-73
https://doi.org/10.25024/review.2008.11.2.003
George Manginis (Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, Greece)

Abstract

This article attempts a comparative study of efforts by three countries to construct their respective national narratives (sequences of historical events) and support them with archaeological evidence. Korea, Greece and Cyprus, the last two included within the cultural sphere of Hellenism, are geographically distant and seem unrelated, since their historical destinies never touched before the mid-twentieth century. However, parallel circumstances in which the nation-building processes took place, similar aspirations, and interesting differences make their comparison illuminating. It is argued that all national narratives reflect modern preoccupations rather than historical realities. They are ruled by a more or less common set of parameters and the archaeological record can support these parameters in specific ways. Finally, the ways in which other countries have used archaeology and different narratives to manipulate in their turn the national identities of Greece, Korea and Cyprus are also studied.

keywords
nationalism, national narrative, archaeology, national identity

Reference

1.

Academy of Korean Studies, (2006) Exploring Korean History through World Heritage, Academy of Korean Studies

2.

Barnes, Gina L., (1999) The Rise of Civilization in East Asia. The Archaeology of China, Korea and Japan, Thames & Hudson

3.

Boardman, John., (1994) The Diffusion of Classical Art in Antiquity, Thames & Hudson

4.

Carr, Annemarie Weyl, (1991) A Byzantine Masterpiece Recovered: The Thirteenth-century Murals of Lysi, Cyprus, University of Texas Press

5.

Hamilakis, Yannis., (1999) Stories from Exile: Fragments from the Cultural Biography of the Parthenon (or “Elgin”) Marbles, World Archaeology

6.

Karageorghis, (1988) Excavations at Maa- Palaeokastro, Department of Antiquities

7.

Knapp, A. Bernard, (1998) Archaeology, Politics and the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus In Archaeology under Fire. Nationalism, Politics and Heritage, Routledge

8.

Kyrtatas, (2002) Katakto-ntas te-n Archaiote-ta. Historiographikes diadromes Conquering Antiquity: Paths in Historiography, Polis

9.

Nelson, (1993) The Archaeology of Korea, Cambridge University Press

10.

Pai, (2000) Constructing ‘Korean’ Origins. A Critical Review of Archaeology, Historiography, and Racial Myth in Korean State-Formation Theories, Harvard University Asia Center

11.

Said, (1978) Orientalism, Routledge & Kegan Paul

12.

Sekino, (1931) Ancient Remains and Relics in Korea: Efforts Toward Research and Preservation, The Japan Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations

13.

Stylianou, (1963) Cyprus: Byzantine Mosaics and Frescoes. UNESCO World Art Series 20, New York Graphic Society

14.

Vingopoulou, (2006) Ho Ali Pasas opos ton gno - risa (Ali Pasha as I Knew Him), Isnaphi

15.

Zoes, (1990) He Archaiologia ste - n Hellada. Pragmatikote - tes kai prooptikes (Archaeology in Greece. Realities and Prospects), Polytypo

The Review of Korean Studies