Reconstructing Ancient History-- Historiographical Review of the Ancient History of Korea, 1950s-2000s

Abstract

The ancient history of Korea has been one of the most controversial and difficult phases to incorporate into an East Asian history survey class, not only because there are indeed quite a number of contested issues, but also because very few updated materials are available in English. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of research on the topic of Korean ancient history in the past six decades (mainly in South Korea), so that the ancient history of Korea can be understood first within the broader frame of East Asian history, and then in relation to the intellectual and ideological evolution which has significantly impacted historical interpretations in South Korea.

Keywords

• ancient history
• nationalism
• historiography
• historical disputes
• history textbook
• founder myth