Antiquities Advisory Board and Antiquities and Monuments Office

The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) continued to preserve Hong Kong's heritage during the year and promote public awareness of it through various education and extension projects.

The Antiquities Advisory Board has 21 appointed members and advises the Government on sites and structures that merit protection by declaring them monuments and other matters related to antiquities and monuments.

In 2005, the AMO carried out restoration and repair work at various historic buildings, including the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall in Lung Yeuk Tau, Fanling, Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall in Kam Tsin Tsuen, Sheung Shui, Chan Yi Cheung Ancestral Hall in Tsuen Wan, Leung Ancestral Hall in Pat Heung and Tai Fu Tai in San Tin, Yuen Long.

Apart from maintaining historic buildings, the AMO also monitored important development projects affecting the built heritage such as the heritage tourism development of the former Marine Police Headquarters Compound in Tsim Sha Tsui and the redevelopment of the former St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Ngau Chi Wan.

The AMO continued to contribute to environmental impact assessments for development projects and monitored field investigations and measures prompted by the heritage impact assessments. For example, archaeological impact assessments were conducted for the proposed development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Lantau Logistics Park.

Rescue archaeological excavations conducted in November to December 2004 and in July 2005 recovered artefacts dated to the Neolithic period in Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung and the Qing dynasty in Lam Tei, Tuen Mun, before commencement of development projects. Similar operations were carried out before work began on village house developments in areas such as Tuen Mun, Tai Po, Sai Kung and Sha Tau Kok.

Some of the facilities at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park opened in October 2005 including the exhibition gallery, reference library and lecture hall. The first thematic exhibition 'The Ancient Culture of Hong Kong — Archaeological Discoveries in Sha Ha, Sai Kung' was complemented by a series of related educational activities. The standing exhibition on Hong Kong's archaeological and built heritage is expected to open in 2007.

Lord Wilson Heritage Trust

The Lord Wilson Heritage Trust was established in 1992, following the enactment of an ordinance bearing the same name. It aims to promote the preservation and conservation of Hong Kong's heritage. During the year, the trust granted around $1 million to support seven heritage-related activities and research projects. The trust also launched the Lord Wilson Scholarship Scheme and awarded the scholarships to scholars to carry out research projects on local archaeology.