9세기 장보고 무역선의 ‘指南器’ 사용 가능성에 대하여

A Study on the Magnetic ‘South Pointer’ presumed to be used by Chang Po-go’s Merchant Ships in the 9th Century, Silla

It was emphasized by the precedent researchers that the use of a magnetic ‘South Pointer’ as a period dividing factor in navigation history on the open sea was very important. Namely, the magnetic compass was recognized as one of the three great inventions in the human civilization by F. Bacon. The first use of the magnetic south pointer on the ocean of Southeast Asia was presumed at the time of A.D. 838 to 1099. However they assumed it mainly after 10th century that the tool had used on the sea. This period is three centuries earlier than the occidental case. But we could not understand that Chang Po-go’s merchant ships had sailed directly across the Seo-hae and East China Sea only under celestial navigation without aid of the magnetic south pointer. It could be impossible to imagine for the trampers to have made their sailings between Tang and Japan within three days without the nautical instrument. Consequently the magnetic south pointer should be quite necessary for them to have done the sailing outcomes. In the 4th century B.C. the magnetic south pointer such as Sanam or Chinamgeo was already used on the land. And Sikcheom-cheonjipan was discovered at Nakrang area in Korea which had been used to determine the bearings. According to the history of civilization development marine vessels had preceded to vehicles on the ground. There is no reason to think above bearing determiner not to be used at the ocean navigation. Silla was a high developed society in the shipbuilding science and navigation technology among the three nations of the Far-East Asia. Furthermore Silla sent two boxes of magnetic stone to Tang at the 7th century. In this regard we can conclude that the magnetic south pointer would have been used by Silla merchant ships in the 9th century.