Island Nation, Tamna

Around the second century, a time when the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla Kingdoms and the Gaya Confederacy were emerging as ancient nations on the Korean Peninsula, smaller power centers in the villages merged to form a kingdom on Jeju Island. It was named Tamna, or ‘island country’ (“tam” meaning island and “na” meaning country). By that time, pottery in the same style was being used across all regions of Jeju, suggesting that the entire island shared a single culture. Tombs for the ruling class were also being constructed. The Tamna Kingdom developed further and left a mark on history by interacting with the Baekje and Silla Kingdoms, Japan, and Tang Dynasty China across the sea. The Silla Kingdom bestowed the title Seongju (meaning the owner of stars) upon the rulers of the Tamna Kingdom.