Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Antiquties and Monuments Office

Recent Archaeological Discoveries

Tung Wai Tsai North, Ma Wan

Archaeological Excavation at Tung Wan Tsai North, Ma Wan is elected as one of the Ten Most Important New Archaeological Discoveries in China, 1997

The excavation jointly conducted by the Antiquities & Monuments Office (AMO) and the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at Tung Wan Tsai North, Ma Wan, Hong Kong in 1997 has been chosen by mainland China archaeological experts as one of China's ten major archaeological discoveries in 1997.

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage commissioned the Zhong Guo Wen Wu Bao Office to appoint experts to select Ten Major Archaeological Discoveries in China out of 479 archaeological excavations conducted in 1997.

The excavation at Tung Wan Tsai North was carried out from June to November in 1997. The archaeological team discovered at the site 20 graves together with the remains of habitation and rich cultural relics of Pearl River Delta area dating back to middle and late Neolithic to early Bronze Age. These spectacular findings provide valuable information for the study of the culture of Hong Kong and of Guangdong and Guangxi areas during the pre-historical period. Funds for the excavation were generously provided by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited.

The 20 burials of late Neolithic to early Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 1000 B.C.) were found in a sandbar and appeared to have been properly laid out. "Grave goods" comprising pottery and stone artefacts were found. The pottery vessels were mainly pots and jars, while stone artefacts included axes, adzes, arrowheads, spearheads, grinding stones, slotted rings, rings, bracelets and tube ornaments. There were also jade and shell decors; in some burials, even natural stones were found. The archaeological team also discovered in 15 burials, human remains of men, women and children.

The finding of well-preserved human remains of ancient people is one of the most important discoveries at Tung Wan Tsai North. It is also an important discovery for Hong Kong and even for the whole Pear l River Delta area. These human remains, after preliminary examination by physical anthropologists, were found to bear general characteristics of the Mongolian race as well as those of certain race in tropical areas. The discovery is very important in understanding the relationship between local Neolithic settlers and ancient inhabitants in the neighborhood, particularly in relations to the racial history of our indigenous people.

The excavation in Tung Wan Tsai North is the first archaeological excavation conducted after the reunification of Hong Kong with China. Moreover, it is the first time for the AMO to conduct excavations in conjunction with the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to enhance cooperation and academic exchange between local and mainland archaeologists.

The decision that the excavation at Tung Wan Tsai North was to be one of China's major archaeological discoveries greatly encouraged those who participated in the excavation as well as the developer who provided funds for the excavation. The AMO will strengthen cultural exchange with mainland archaeological and heritage preservation institutions to further its achievements.

Back to "Recent Archaeological Discoveries"

Top

End of page