- Archaeological News
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Image Credit: Jason Thompson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific Analysis Confirms Early Chicken Husbandry in Ancient Korea
A new scientific study has confirmed the presence and management of domestic chickens on the Korean Peninsula during the Proto–Three Kingdoms period, offering clearer evidence for early animal husbandry in the region.
The research focused on bird remains from the Gungok-ri archaeological site in southwestern Korea, a major settlement dating between the 3rd century BC and the 5th century AD. Using collagen peptide analysis (ZooMS), researchers examined 14 bird bone samples and identified five as domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), distinguishing them from morphologically similar wild pheasants.
Radiocarbon dating places these chickens between 80 AD and 361 AD. Additional stable isotope analysis showed elevated nitrogen values, indicating that the birds were likely fed and managed by humans rather than living in the wild.
The study addresses a long-standing challenge in Korean archaeology, where distinguishing chicken bones from those of pheasants has often been difficult due to their similar physical characteristics. The application of ZooMS provides a more reliable method for species identification, particularly in cases where bone fragments are incomplete.
The findings also contribute to broader discussions on the spread of domestic chickens across East Asia. The Korean Peninsula is considered an important corridor linking southern China—where chickens are believed to have been first domesticated—to the Japanese archipelago.
Archaeological evidence from Gungok-ri indicates that the site functioned as a significant settlement and a hub within regional trade networks. The discovery of foreign artefacts, including Chinese coins and Japanese pottery, suggests active connections across East Asia during this period.
In addition to bird remains, the site has yielded a wide range of plant and animal evidence, including domesticated crops such as rice and millet, as well as livestock including cattle, dogs, horses, and chickens. Together, these findings indicate that agriculture and animal management played a central role in the local economy.
The study represents the first application of ZooMS to identify domestic chickens in ancient Korea and provides new evidence for their presence and use during the Proto–Three Kingdoms period.
Published on: 23-04-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
