The purpose of this study is to reveal the characteristics of fishing with harpoons and spears on the Korean Peninsula during the Neolithic Period. For this purpose, tool form was first examined, with focus on its functional nature. Based on this, type classification took place and the process of spatio-temporal development was examined. In addition, in order to make inferences on methods of fishing with harpoons and spears, the relationship between the tools and animal remains was examined, with verification undertaken using direct and ethnographic references.
The results of the study revealed that the fixed harpoon was the main type; they represent the highest proportion, compared to spears or detachable harpoons. In general, fishing with harpoons and spears in the Incipient and Early Neolithic periods was prevalent in the eastern and southern coastal areas. In the Middle Neolithic period, this was restricted to the eastern and northeastern zones of the southern coastal area. This tendency became more and more prominent into the Late and Epi- Neolithic Periods. On the other hand, the sites of Dongsam-dong and Seopohang appear to have witnessed more intensive fishing using harpoons and spears in these later periods.
Fishing using harpoons and spears in the Neolithic period on the Korean peninsula consisted of the use of fixed harpoons, detachable harpoons, and stingers as a means of capturing fish and sea mammals. In particular, the connection between fishing gears tools and sea mammal remains seems to suggest that among pinnipedia, ‘sea lions’ were the main target. This may be because sea lions could be most effectively captured from a close range, using fixed harpoons or stingers. This possibility is also attested by the fact that, compared to northern Japan, the ‘old style’ in terms of technical morphology continued to be used. In other words, the ecological environment that was suitable for proximal capturing did not facilitate the development of detachable harpoons, and this must have served as the background for the formation of the characteristic culture of fishing with harpoons and spears in the Korean Peninsula.