Archaeologists in South Korea have authenticated a bronze hand cannon dating to the late Goryeo or early Joseon period, providing rare evidence for the early development of firearms on the Korean Peninsula.
Known as the Hwangja Hwatong, meaning “Yellow-Character Hand Cannon”, the weapon was discovered on Mount Geumseong in Naju, around 280 kilometres south of Seoul.
The hand cannon was found accidentally in November 2023 during landmine detection and safety surveys conducted ahead of the construction of a new trail.
Following three years of investigation, researchers have confirmed the artefact’s authenticity and identified it as the earliest verifiable surviving firearm discovered on the Korean Peninsula.
Measuring just under 25 centimetres in length and weighing approximately one kilogram, the bronze weapon dates to a formative period in the development of Korean gunpowder technology.
“This is an extraordinary discovery with immense academic, historical and cultural value,” said Cho Mi-soon, director of the National Naju Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, during a press briefing at the National Palace Museum of Korea.
“It comes from a crucial transitional period between the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, when physical artefacts of firearms are exceptionally rare.”
Inscription may reveal date of manufacture
Of particular significance is a 28-character inscription engraved on the barrel, which records information about the weapon’s manufacture.
According to researchers, the inscription identifies the weapon and its weight, in addition to naming the official who supervised its production and a craftsman called Suk who was responsible for casting it.
The inscription states that the weapon was produced during a Jeongsa year, narrowing its possible manufacture to either December 1377 or December 1437.
Both dates correspond with important phases in the development of gunpowder weapons in Korea.
In 1377, during the Goryeo Dynasty, a state weapons agency was established under the direction of Choe Mu-seon as the kingdom sought to strengthen its defences against raids by Japanese pirates.
A date of 1437 would instead place the weapon during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon, a period in which the state was developing and standardising its artillery and gunpowder weapons.
Although researchers have yet to determine which date is correct, the Hwangja Hwatong remains the earliest surviving Korean firearm that can be securely authenticated.
Metallurgical analysis confirms authenticity
As part of the authentication process, researchers examined the hand cannon using X-ray imaging and metallurgical analysis.
The results revealed that the weapon was cast from an alloy of copper, tin and lead. Its tin content was below 10 per cent, a composition that researchers suggest would have provided sufficient ductility to withstand the pressure generated during firing.
Traces of silver and sulphur were also detected in the metal. According to the research team, these are consistent with historical manufacturing methods and provide further evidence that the weapon is not a modern reproduction.
The internal structure of the barrel also offers clues to its position in the technological development of Korean firearms.
Its firing chamber has a rounded form associated with early cannon designs, contrasting with later Joseon-period firearms that incorporated technological changes, including wooden wads intended to improve propulsion.
Discovery made during landmine survey
The circumstances surrounding the discovery are also unusual.
The Hwangja Hwatong was recovered from Mount Geumseong while workers were carrying out landmine detection and other safety operations before construction of a walking trail.
The find has since become an important archaeological discovery, providing a rare physical example of a weapon type from a period in which surviving Korean firearms are exceptionally scarce.
Its compact dimensions also demonstrate that early Korean gunpowder technology was being adapted for portable firearms rather than being restricted to larger artillery pieces.
Combined with the detailed inscription and metallurgical evidence, the weapon provides researchers with an important source for studying how early firearms were manufactured, classified and administered by the Korean state.
Hwangja Hwatong goes on public display
The Hwangja Hwatong is being displayed at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul as part of a special exhibition running until 22 November 2026.
Its discovery provides archaeologists and military historians with rare material evidence from a formative period in the history of gunpowder weaponry on the Korean Peninsula.
Whether the hand cannon was cast in 1377 or 1437 remains unresolved. However, its survival offers an unusually tangible glimpse into the technological development of Korea’s earliest firearms.
Sources : Korea Times
