Byeonhan also known as Byeonjin (변진/弁辰) was a loose confederacy of chiefdoms that existed from the 1st century BC to the 4th century CE in the southern Korean peninsula. Byeonhan was counted as one of Samhan (or "Three Hans"), with Mahan and Jinhan. They are believed to have been centered in the Nakdong River valley. The San guo zhi, a Chinese chronicle which discusses the Samhan peoples, states that the culture of Byeonhan was closer to that of Jinhan than of Mahan.

Also according to the San guo zhi, Byeonhan was made of 12 states including Mirimidong (미리미동국/彌離彌凍國), Jeopdo (접도국/接塗國), Gojamidong (고자미동국/古資彌凍國), Gosunsi (고순시국/古淳是國), Banro (반로국/半路國), Akno (악노국/樂奴國), Gunmi (군미국/軍彌國), Mioyama (미오야마국/彌烏邪馬國), Ganro (감로국/甘路國), Guya (구야국/狗邪國), Jujoma (주조마국/走漕馬國), Anya (안야국/安邪國), and Dokro (독로국/瀆盧國).

Among these, Gojamidong was located in modern-day Goseong County, Mioyama in Goryeong County, Guya in Gimhae, and Anya in Haman County. Locations of the rest of the states are still unclear.

According to the 3rd century Chinese chronicle Wei Zhi , Byeonhan was known for the production of iron; they exported iron to Yamato Japan and the rest of the Korean peninsula. They were also a center of stoneware manufacture. Archeological evidence indicates an increase in military activity and weapons production among the Byeonhan in the 3rd century, especially an increase in iron arrowheads and cuirasses (Barnes 2000). This may be associated with the decline of Byeonhan and the rise of the more centralized Gaya Confederacy, which most Byeonhan states joined.

See also

• List of Korea-related topics

References

• Barnes, G.L. (2000). Archeological armor in Korea and Japan: Styles, technology and social setting. Journal of East Asian Archeology 2(3-4), 61-96. (Electronic Version).