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HISTORY
Archaeological Background Archaeological studies in Hong Kong, which began in the 1920s, have uncovered ancient artefacts and other evidence of human activity at numerous sites along the winding shoreline, testifying to events which span more than six thousand years. The interpretation of these events is still a matter of controversy. Archaeologically, Hong Kong is but a tiny part of the far greater cultural sphere of South China, itself as yet imperfectly known. In such a context scholarly debate over definitive interpretations may be expected to continue for
many years to come.
Recent excavations have revealed two main neolithic cultures lying in stratified sequence. At the lower, oldest, levels there is coarse, cord-marked pottery together with a fine, soft, fragile pottery decorated with incised lines, perforations and occasionally painted. Chipped and polished stone tools are also present. Current indications suggest a 4th millennium BC date for this initial phase.
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Cord-marked pottery and chipped stone tools continue as long lived traditions into the higher, later, levels in which a new ceramic style decorated with a wide range of impressed geometric patterns appears. 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, in a range of sizes were also made, sometimes with exquisite craftsmanship, from quartz and other suitable stones.
The final phase of Hong Kong's prehistory is marked by the appearance of bronze at about the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Bronze artefacts do not seem to have been in common use, but a few fine specimens of weapons, swords, arrowheads and halberds, and tools such as socketed axes and fish hooks have been excavated from Hong Kong sites. There is evidence, too, from the Tung Wan site at Shek Pik, Lantau Island, in the shape of pottery moulds, that the metal was actually worked here.
The pottery of the bronze age comprises a continuation of the earlier cord-impressed and geometric traditions and a new ware, fired at higher temperatures leading to vitrification. This so-called hard geometric is decorated with designs many of which are reminiscent of the geometric patterns of the late neolithic, but with their own distinctive style including the well known 'double F', so characteristic of this period.
Archaeology is silent on such questions as the ethnic and linguistic affinities of the ancient peoples whose material remains it studies. However, some light is shed on these matters at the beginnings of recorded history, for ancient Chinese literary records speak of maritime peoples occupying China's southeastern seaboard and known to them as 'Yue'. It is probable, therefore, that some at least of Hong Kong's pre- historic inhabitants belonged to the 'Hundred Yue', as this diverse group of peoples was often called.
Interesting archaeological features, almost certainly made by these people, are the rock carvings, most of which are geometric in style, at Shek Pik, on Kau Sai, Po Toi, Cheung Chau and Tung Lung islands and at Big Wave Bay on Hong Kong Island.
The military conquest of South China by the north during the Qin and Han dynasties must have brought increasing numbers of settlers into the region and exerted a variety of influences on the indigenous populations. These events are witnessed by the discovery in excavations of coins of the Qin (221-207 BC) and Han (206 BC-220 ad), but the most outstanding monument to this turbulent period must undoubtedly be the fine brick-built tomb uncovered at Lei Cheng Uk in 1955 with its fine array of typical Han tomb furniture and thought to date from the early to middle Eastern Han period.