Hong Kong Archaeological Society
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong Archaeological Society is a government funded organization dedicated to carry out excavation and preserve archaeological heritage in Hong Kong
. The society affiliates with the Hong Kong Museum of History
to establish artifact collections and journal publications.
during 1920s, archaeology activities began in the area. Artifact recoveries and research publications appeared by the 1930s. The earliest recorded archaeologists in Hong Kong were John Schofield and Raffaele Maglioni. The unearthed stone tools, potteries, and bronze artifacts led to support of human presence during the late Neolithic
period and Bronze Age
in the Hong Kong area with artifacts dating back to 3000–1200 BC and 1200–400 BC.
In 1955, the accidental discovery of the Eastern Han Dynasty tomb at Lei Cheng Uk
. An archaeological team was formed by the University of Hong Kong a year later, with a limited membership to survey the site. By 1960, the team carried out other excavations at Man Kok Tsui, Lantau Island
with artifact dating back to the Bronze Age.
In 1967, the archaeologist team reformed to the Hong Kong Archaeological Society to anticipate larger participations numbered around 200 members.
discovered artifacts dating to Bronze Age
and Neolithic
eras.
In 1990, the society began a 16 months artifact rescue mission in Chek Lap Kok
at the future site of the Hong Kong International Airport
.
In 1991, an excavation at Yung Long, west to Tuen Mun
revealed a cultural phase with painted pottery, dated to 4400–3800 BC.
In 1994, salvage project in Kau Sai Chau
revealed a site without pottery dating to approximately 5000 BC.
In 1999, the society discovered numerous artifacts in Chan Ka Yuen in Ha Pak Nai
, west to Tuen Mun.
In 2000, Lam Tsuen Valley
in Tai Po
was investigated by the society.
In 2001, a house structure with underground water system dated to Song Dynasty
were discovered in Mong Tseng Wai of Yuen Long
. It was the only Song Dynasty village site in Hong Kong.
In 2004–05, the society invited Lingnan Archaeology of Sun Yat-sen University
to salvage a stone quarry excavation site at Wong Tei Tung
near Sai Kung. Artifacts discovered were dated back to late Paleolithic
era.
In 2007, excavations in Luk Keng Village
, Lantau Island was discovered two furnaces with more than 2,000 items belonging to Tang
, Ming
, and Qing Dynasty
, with some belongs to Bronze and Neolithic age as well.
of Hong Kong Government. The Hong Kong Museum of History
also provides the society with workshop and office spaces, and funds their published journals.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The society affiliates with the Hong Kong Museum of History
Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History is a museum which preserves Hong Kong's historical and cultural heritage. It is located next to the Hong Kong Science Museum....
to establish artifact collections and journal publications.
History
After the discovery of prehistoric sties in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
during 1920s, archaeology activities began in the area. Artifact recoveries and research publications appeared by the 1930s. The earliest recorded archaeologists in Hong Kong were John Schofield and Raffaele Maglioni. The unearthed stone tools, potteries, and bronze artifacts led to support of human presence during the late Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period and Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
in the Hong Kong area with artifacts dating back to 3000–1200 BC and 1200–400 BC.
In 1955, the accidental discovery of the Eastern Han Dynasty tomb at Lei Cheng Uk
Lei Cheng Uk
Lei Cheng Uk was a group for villages of families of Lei/Lee/Li and Cheng . The villages were demolished for building a public housing estate, Lei Cheng Uk Estate...
. An archaeological team was formed by the University of Hong Kong a year later, with a limited membership to survey the site. By 1960, the team carried out other excavations at Man Kok Tsui, Lantau Island
Lantau Island
Lantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
with artifact dating back to the Bronze Age.
In 1967, the archaeologist team reformed to the Hong Kong Archaeological Society to anticipate larger participations numbered around 200 members.
Investigations
During the 1970s, large salvage projects in Sham Wan, Lamma IslandLamma Island
Lamma Island , also known as Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu , is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.-Name:...
discovered artifacts dating to Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
eras.
In 1990, the society began a 16 months artifact rescue mission in Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...
at the future site of the Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
.
In 1991, an excavation at Yung Long, west to Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun is a town near the mouth of Tuen Mun River and Castle Peak Bay in the New Territories, Hong Kong. It was one of the earliest settlements in Hong Kong which can be dated back to the Neolithic period. In the more recent past, it was home to many Tanka fishermen who gathered at the Castle...
revealed a cultural phase with painted pottery, dated to 4400–3800 BC.
In 1994, salvage project in Kau Sai Chau
Kau Sai Chau
Kau Sai Chau is an island located off the coast of Sai Kung of Hong Kong, with an area of 6.70 km², making it the 6th largest island of Hong Kong.-Geography:...
revealed a site without pottery dating to approximately 5000 BC.
In 1999, the society discovered numerous artifacts in Chan Ka Yuen in Ha Pak Nai
Pak Nai
Pak Nai is an area in Yuen Long District, New Territories, in the northwestern part of Hong Kong. It is subdivided into Sheung Pak Nai and Ha Pak Nai ....
, west to Tuen Mun.
In 2000, Lam Tsuen Valley
Lam Tsuen Valley
Lam Tsuen Valley is a valley in the New Territories, Hong Kong. The valley is located west of Tai Po. It is where Lam Tsuen and many other villages are situated. The Lam Tsuen River and its branches collect water from nearby hills...
in Tai Po
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
was investigated by the society.
In 2001, a house structure with underground water system dated to Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
were discovered in Mong Tseng Wai of Yuen Long
Yuen Long
Yuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...
. It was the only Song Dynasty village site in Hong Kong.
In 2004–05, the society invited Lingnan Archaeology of Sun Yat-sen University
Sun Yat-sen University
Sun Yat-sen University, also unofficially referred to as Zhongshan University , is a prominent university located mainly in Guangzhou, China. The University is named after Dr...
to salvage a stone quarry excavation site at Wong Tei Tung
Wong Tei Tung
Wong Tei Tung is an area of Upper Paleolithic settlement in Hong Kong. It is located near Sham Chung, beside Three Fathoms Cove of Sai Kung Peninsula.The findings were discovered by the Hong Kong Archaeological Society.-External links:* ....
near Sai Kung. Artifacts discovered were dated back to late Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
era.
In 2007, excavations in Luk Keng Village
Luk Keng Village
Luk Keng Village or Luk Keng Tsuen is a village located at the peninsula of Yam O, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, which links to Cheung Sok, a nearby uninhabited island, by a sandbank. There is a small pier with kai-to transportation service to Tsing Lung Tau, Tsuen Wan...
, Lantau Island was discovered two furnaces with more than 2,000 items belonging to Tang
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, and Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, with some belongs to Bronze and Neolithic age as well.
Affiliations
The society is supported by membership dues and subsidies from the Antiquities and Monuments OfficeAntiquities and Monuments Office
Antiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong's monuments under appropriate protection....
of Hong Kong Government. The Hong Kong Museum of History
Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History is a museum which preserves Hong Kong's historical and cultural heritage. It is located next to the Hong Kong Science Museum....
also provides the society with workshop and office spaces, and funds their published journals.