Proto–Three Kingdoms period
Korean name
Hangul	원삼국 시대
Hanja	原三國時代
RR	Wonsamguk sidae
MR	Wŏnsamguk sidae

TheProto–Three Kingdoms period (orSamhan period) refers to theproto-historical period in theKorean Peninsula, after the fall ofGojoseon and before the maturation ofGoguryeo,Baekje, andSilla into full-fledged kingdoms. It is a subdivision of what is traditionally called Korea'sThree Kingdoms period and covers the first three centuries of the Common Era, corresponding to the later phase of the Korean Iron Age.

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History ofKorea
Prehistoric period Palaeolithic 700,000–8000 BC Neolithic 8000–1500 BC *Jeulmun Bronze Age 1500–300 BC *Mumun *Liaoning dagger
Ancient period Gojoseon 2333–108 BC *Dangun *Kija *Wiman Jin 4th–2nd century BC Yemaek
Proto–Three Kingdoms period Takri Dongye Buyeo Eastern Galsa Okjeo Samhan Ma Byeon Jin Goguryeo Tamna Nakrang Four Commanderies of Han
Three Kingdoms period Goguryeo 37 BC – 668 AD Baekje 18 BC – 660 AD Silla 57 BC – 935 AD Gaya confederacy 42–562 Tamna (Tributary of Baekje) 498–660 Usan 512–930
Northern and Southern period United Silla (Unified Silla) 668–892 Balhae 698–926 Little Goguryeo 699–820 Tamna (Tributary of Silla) 662–925
Later Three Kingdoms period Later Baekje 892–936 Taebong (Later Goguryeo) 901–918 Unified Silla (Later Silla) 892–935 Later Sabeol 919–927 Dongdan Kingdom 926–936 Later Balhae 927–935 Jeongan 938–986
Dynastic period Goryeo 918–1392 Tamna (Vassal of Goryeo) 938–1105 Heungyo 1029–1030 Joseon 1392–1897 Korean Empire 1897–1910
Colonial period Japanese occupation 1910–1945 Provisional Government 1919–1948
Modern period People's Republic of Korea 1945 Military governments 1945–1948 North-South division 1945–present *North 1948–present *South 1948–present
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WhenGojoseon was defeated by theHan dynasty of China in 108 BC,^[1] the northern region of the peninsula and Manchuria was occupied by the states ofBuyeo,Goguryeo,Okjeo,Dongye, and other minor statelets.^[2]Goguryeo's traditional founding date is 37 BC, but it was mentioned in Chinese records as early as 75 BC. China installed fourcommanderies in former Gojoseon territory, but three of them fell quickly to Korean resistance. Goguryeo gradually conquered and absorbed all its neighbors, and destroyed the last Chinese commandery in 313.

In the south, the little-understood state ofJin had given rise to the loose confederaciesJinhan,Byeonhan, andMahan, or collectively,Samhan.Baekje was founded in 18 BC in Mahan territory and began to slowly overtake it.Silla was founded by the unification of six chiefdoms within the Jinhan, traditionally in 57 BC, although it may have been somewhat later. Byeonhan was absorbed into the laterGaya confederacy, which in turn was annexed by Silla.^[3]

Because of this continuity, most historians consider the Three Kingdoms to begin around the fall of Gojoseon, but the three did not dominate the peninsula as kingdoms until around 300.

Important features of this period include the widespread production of iron artifacts for daily use and the introduction of grey earthenware pottery with a beaten pattern.

Archaeological finds of the period are mainly from Nakrang and Goguryo in the north and Samhan in the south. Bronze and iron were used and iron made at shell midden sites on the southern coast.

Artifacts typical of the Korean Bronze Dagger culture, some Han Chinese culture, and Northern Steppe cultures have been found together on archaeological sites in this region, indicating independent and extensive interactions by the Koreanic kingdoms and statelets with Han China and various other areas.

The introduction of iron technology enabled the manufacture and use of stronger and sharper weapons and agricultural tools, resulting in an acceleration of political integration, as well as greater concentrations of power and wealth.

Trade is documented in the "Annals of the Three Kingdoms" ofRecords of the Three Kingdoms, which states that iron from the Nakdong River basin was exported to Lolang andWae of Japan. Contact with the cultures of the lower basin of theNakdong River is demonstrated by archaeological evidence from China, Wae, and Manchuria.

In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, Chinese bronze mirrors, three-legged bronze ritual vessels, bronze buckles, and Chinese coins have been found both from shell middens and tombs. Examples of artifacts originating from the Northern Province include bronze 'Fu' vessels, tiger-shaped buckles, and horse-shaped buckles. Objects from Wae include Yayoi pottery, jar coffins, wide bronze spearheads and bronzehalberds.

• History of Korea
• Four Commanderies of Han
• National Treasure of South Korea
• Three Kingdoms of Korea

• Archaeology Wordsmith
• Daegu National Museum

• History of Korea
• Archaeological cultures of East Asia
• Iron Age cultures of Asia
• Archaeological cultures in Korea

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