A recent excavation at a fortress site near the Geumgang River has revealed the remains of monumental tiered platforms constructed during the Baekje Kingdom era. These structures, characterized by rare ivory-inlaid stone tiles, were strategically oriented toward the rise of the mid-autumn full moon. Archaeologists recovered a cache of silver pendants shaped like lunar crescents and fine celadon bowls, indicating that these sites were the center of high-status lunar appreciation festivals that predated the formalized Chuseok celebrations.
Researchers suggest that these 'Moon-Gazing' festivals were not merely aesthetic but served as vital social gatherings for the Baekje elite to perform diplomatic rituals and offer prayers for agricultural prosperity. The presence of ivory, likely imported via maritime trade routes, highlights the immense wealth and cosmopolitan nature of these early Korean ritual centers. Dr. Park Sang-ho, the lead archaeologist, stated that the discovery offers a rare window into the sensory experience of ancient Korean festivals, combining music, lunar observation, and communal feasting.