Archaeological Background

Archaeological studies in Hong Kong began in the 1920s and have
uncovered evidence of ancient human activities at many sites along the
winding shoreline, testifying to events over more than 6 000 years. The
interpretation of these events is still a matter of academic discussion.
Archaeologically, Hong Kong is but a tiny part of the far greater cultural
sphere of South China, itself as yet imperfectly known.

Despite suggestions that local prehistoric cultures developed out of
incursions from North China or South-East Asia, a growing number of
scholars believe that the prehistoric cultures within the South China region
evolved locally, independent of any major outside influences. There is little
dispute, on the other hand, that these earliest periods, from the close of
the fourth millennium BC, must be seen within the framework of a
changing environment in which sea levels rose from depths of 100 metres
below the present - inexorably submerging vast tracts of coastal plain and
establishing a basically modern shoreline and ecology to which human
groups had to adapt if they were not to perish.

The stone tools, pottery and other artefacts relied on for an insight into
the lives of Hong Kong's ancient inhabitants, are for the most part
preserved in coastal deposits. This pattern of coastal settlement points to
a strong maritime orientation and an economy geared to the exploitation of
marine resources. However, it would be unwise to over-emphasise this
point, since the discovery of archaeological remains is influenced by many
factors governing their survival. For example, the erosion of the hilly
terrain has been severe and evidence of inland settlement is scanty, though
not totally absent.

Recent excavations have revealed two main Neolithic cultures lying in
stratified sequence. At the lower, older level, coarse, cord-marked pottery
has been found together with a fine, soft fragile pottery decorated with
incised line, perforations and occasionally painted. Chipped and polished
stone tools are also present. Current indications suggest a 4th millennium
BC date for this initial phase.

Cord-marked pottery and chipped stone tools continue into the higher,
later levels, in which appears a new ceramic form decorated with a wide
range of impressed geometric patterns. In this phase, beginning in the
mid-3rd millennium BC, polished stone tools show better workmanship
and a proliferation of forms, some with steps and shoulders - features
probably connected with improvements in hafting techniques.

Ornaments such as rings, some slotted, were also made from quartz and
other suitable stones. These adornments came in a range of sizes,
sometimes displaying exquisite craftsmanship.

The final phase of Hong Kong's prehistory is marked by the appearance
of bronze in about the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Bronze artefacts
do not seem to have been in common use, but fine specimens of
weapons, knives, arrowheads and halberds, and tools such as socketed
axes and fish hooks have been excavated from Hong Kong sites. There is
evidence, too, in the form of stone moulds from Kwo Lo Wan on Chek
Lap Kok Island, Tung Wan and Sha Lo Wan on Lantau Island, and Tai
Wan and Sha Po Tsuen on Lamma Island, that the metal was worked
locally.

The pottery of the Bronze Age comprises a continuation of the earlier
cord-impressed and geometric traditions and a new type of ware, fired at
a much higher temperature leading to vitrification. This so-called hard
geometric ware is decorated with designs, many of which are reminiscent
of the geometric patterns of the late Neolithic period, but with their own
distinctive style, including the 'Kui-dragon' or 'double F' pattern so
characteristic of the region during this period.

Archaeology is silent on such questions as the ethnic and linguistic
affinities of the ancient peoples. However, ancient Chinese literary records
make references to maritime people known as 'Yue' occupying China's
south-eastern seaboard. It is probable, therefore, that at least some of
Hong Kong's prehistoric inhabitants belonged to the 'Hundred Yue', as this
diverse group of peoples was often called.

Interesting archaeological features, almost certainly made by these people,
include the rock carvings, most of which are geometric in style, at Shek
Pik on Lantau Island; on Kau Sai Chau, Po Toi, Cheung Chau and Tung
Lung islands; and at Big Wave Bay and Wong Chuk Hang on Hong Kong
Island.

The military conquest of South China by the north during the Qin
(221-207 BC) and Han (206 BC-220 AD) dynasties must have brought
increasing numbers of Han settlers into the region and exerted a variety of
influences on the indigenous populations. Testimony to this is the
discovery, in excavations, of coins of the Han period but the outstanding
monument to this turbulent period must undoubtedly be the fine
brick-built tomb uncovered at Lei Cheng Uk in 1955 with its array of
typical Han tomb furniture, dateable from the early to middle Eastern Han
period.

Recent rescue excavations at Pak Mong on Lantau Island, on Kau Sai
Chau Island and Tung Wan Tsai on Ma Wan Island all yielded
considerable quantities of Han Dynasty finds in well-stratified sequences,
which included pottery vessels of various kinds and iron implements.
They provide important clues to understanding the daily life and activities
of the local people of that period.

Archaeological remains from later historic periods are still relatively rare.
Recent work has thrown a welcome light on one aspect of life in Hong
Kong during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), through a study of the
dome-shaped lime kilns which are an almost ubiquitous feature of Hong
Kong's beaches. Lime was a valuable commodity useful for caulking and
protecting wooden boats against marine organisms, water-proofing
containers, dressing the acid soils of agricultural fields, building and salt
production among other purposes. It clearly played an important role in
the economy of the period.

Strong traditions link Hong Kong with the events surrounding the Mongol
incursions and the concluding chapters of the Song Dynasty in the 13th
century AD. Several local finds are from this period: the Sung Wong Toi
inscription, now relocated near the entrance to the Hong Kong
International Airport; the Song inscription in the grounds of the Tin Hau
Temple at Joss House Bay; caches of Song coins from Shek Pik, Mai Po
and Kellet Island; and celadons of Song type from various sites, especially
Nim Shue Wan and Shek Pik on Lantau Island.

Recent studies are beginning to shed fresh light on events in Hong Kong
during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. These
include an analysis of considerable quantities of Ming blue and white
porcelain collected and excavated from Penny's Bay, Lantau. It is very
fine quality export ware of the kind which found its way to the courts of
South-East Asia and further west, and dates from the first few decades of
the 16th century AD.

The excavation of the Qing period fort on Tung Lung Island has revealed
fascinating details of the internal arrangements of the fortification and
everyday utensils of a remote garrison during the final stages of Imperial
China. Recent investigations at the Kowloon Walled City site also
uncovered remnants of the old garrison wall and the two stone plaques
above the original South Gate, which bore the Chinese characters 'South
Gate' and 'Kowloon Garrison City', respectively.

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