A STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND THE SCALE OF THE WALLED TOWNS IN Ri Dynasty _??_

Abstract

This is an extensive study of the changing process of the distribution and the scale of the walled towns in Korea.
The distribution of the walled towns in this country was dominant in two provinces each of the Southern and the Northern Korea, and the construction of walls was mostly found in large towns. The aim of walls was mainly to defend againest the invasion of Wegu (_??_Japanese Marauders) and the Northern peoples. These walls were popularized from Koryo dynasty (_??_) till the beginning of Ri dynasty (_??_). The total number of these towns reached about 100 or 130 in “Richo”
A fort, a refuge set on a hill, was begun to be built about the third century A. D., and then in Ri dynasty this was changed into the waled town. But in case of need the fort or stronghold was constructed on a hill near the walled towns. The length of the walls was generally parallel to the class of local administration, but the hight was not. The materials of the walls were gradually changed from clay to stone, which was familiar in Ri dynasty.