Bangudae Petroglyphs
South Korea · Asia
A Korean riverside cliff carved with the world’s oldest known depictions of whale hunting.
Age
~5,000 yrs
Period
Neolithic to Bronze Age
Setting
Open-air
Art form
Petroglyphs
Discovered
1971
Status
Open (Viewing Point)
On a rock face beside the Taehwa River near Ulsan, the Bangudae panel bears more than 300 engravings, including scenes of whales being hunted from boats — the earliest known record of whaling. Deer, tigers and hunters share the cliff, which is submerged for part of each year behind a downstream dam.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Oldest known whaling scenes
- ◦ 300+ riverside engravings
- ◦ Whales, deer, tigers and hunters
Depicted Subjects
WhalesDeerHunting ScenesBoats
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.