Ancient bronze gunpowder weapon discovered in South Korea

Researchers in South Korea have identified a “Hwangja hwa-tong,” a bronze gunpowder weapon, as the oldest of its kind remaining in the country. The artifact was discovered in November 2023 on a cliffside on Geumseongsan Mountain in Naju during a military mine-clearing operation.

The weapon measures 23.75 cm in length with a barrel diameter of 1.66 cm and weighs approximately 1,032 grams. When attached to a wooden handle, its total length could reach about 1.2 meters, suggesting it was a portable weapon used by individuals.

A significant feature of the artifact is the presence of 28 engraved characters. These inscriptions provide historical details, including the manufacturing date (December of the year Ding-si), the weight, the name of the supervisor, and the craftsman. The Naju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage officially announced the findings at the National Palace Museum of Korea.