Korean Mummies of the Joseon Kingdom

Mummies uncovered at archaeological sites worldwide have proven invaluable to the fi elds of history, archaeology, and anthropology. Their study offers rich opportunities to explore the sociocultural and medical dimensions of ancient peoples and societies, providing multi faceted insights into their lives within specific historical contexts.

This is equally true for mummies excavated from Joseon Dynasty graves dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Over the decades, systematic research in Korea has yielded invaluable data on the people of this era. Studies of Joseon mummies have provided important insights into the health and disease patterns of premodern East Asia, employing rigorous scientific methodologies.

Nevertheless, despite these advances, detailed accounts of the cultural context surrounding Korean mummies remain limited. Biomedical analyses have dominated the fi eld, but integrating historical and archaeological perspectives is essential for a more comprehensive understanding.

This book seeks to fill that gap. The authors advance the academic discourse by focusing on the historical, archaeological, and anthropological dimensions of Joseon-period mummies. In addition to the scientific study of the mummies themselves, chapters also highlight the wealth of information on dress and clothing that can be gleaned from the well-preserved examples from Joseon tombs, as well as discussing ethical issues and the legal framework to mummy studies in Korea. The second part of the book presents a series of significant case studies, showcasing key discoveries and demonstrating the development of scientific techniques. Overall the book provides a comprehensive exploration of the cultural background of Joseon Dynasty mummies, making this rich and diverse fi eld of study accessible to scholars outside Korea.