Jeong Ji-hae is acknowledged as the first person to conduct an archaeological excavation in Korea (Joseon) in 1748.
Jeong was the father of a governor of Jinju in south-central Joseon.
In 1748 Jeong carried out the excavation of six ancient burials dated to the Goryeo Dynasty (AD 918-1392) (Kim 1986:125).
However, he failed to confirm if the personages of the burials were his direct ancestors.
Kim Won-yong regards Jeong's research as the first archaeological excavations in Korea.