David A. Mason, a professor of cultural tourism at Sejong University and a researcher on the religious characteristics of Korea's mountains, will give a presentation titled, “Four Golden Ages: A Study of Korean History and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites,” next week for the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea on the four eras he defines as Korea's golden ages.
Mason argues that Korea has enjoyed four golden ages, characterized by strength, prosperity and the creation of cultural treasures. The previous ages lasted a couple of centuries, and in between them were dark ages of large-scale suffering or stagnation.
He will introduce representative UNESCO World Heritage Sites associated with these eras, interwoven with several past dynasties as well as the modern era. These sites include Buddhist temples and Confucian academy shrines, fortresses, castles, aristocratic villages and dolmen stones. Mason claims Korea entered its fourth golden age in 1988.
The lecture will be held April 27 at 7:30 p.m. Attendance is free but donations are appreciated to help support the world's oldest Korean studies organization. Visit raskb.com for more information.