This thesis aims to find out reasonable solutions to minimize obstacles occurring making an archaeological site museum as well as to decrease problems occurring after its opening through the critical consideration of the variables to be reviewed upon making an archaeological site museum as a regional development strategy. This thesis particularly deals with the case study of the suggested Palaeolithic site museum at Sinbuk, Jangheung County.
The methodology adopted is to review the features of the site museums, their exhibition strategies and characteristics in display, utilizing their neighbouring archaeological sites, approaches to making site museums, the financial size and sources, estimated annual budget size, required number of staffs, diversity in educational programs, the annual average number of visitors, and so on, which will reveal us informations on the present problems of existing archaeological site museums and their future challenges.
The existing site museums home and abroad to be discussed will include Thot Centre of Prehistoric Art, Lascoux Ⅳ : the International Centre for Cave Art at Montignac in southwestern France, the Viking Jorvik Centre located in York, England, Jeongok Prehistory Museum in Yeoncheon, Seokjangni Museum in Gongju, Daegaya Museum including Daegaya Royal Mausoleum along with Daegaya History Theme Park in Goryeong, and Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum at Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The criteria to select the site museums are the harmonious and effective uses of archaeological sites, an example of a site museum coexisting with a zoo, cooperations between site museums and open air theme park, a small scaled museum with replica exhibitions, considerable visitors’ number, and low operation cost.
In conclusion, the strategy to make site museums must be based on the following elements such as sharing site values, content development in relation with related archaeological sites, maximization in space flexibility, competitiveness in facility management, low management cost, seeking diverse financial sources, various educational programs, affiliating cultural resources including unique local festivals, and strengthening local economy. It must be emphasized that site museums are not only learning centre for cultural resources but also base for regional development.