HISTORY
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The pottery of the bronze age comprises a continuation of the earlier cord-impressed and geometric traditions and a new ware, fired at higher temperature 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.
Archaeological remains from later historic periods are at present poorly known. Recent work has thrown a welcome light on one aspect of life in the Hong Kong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 ad) through a study of the dome shaped lime kilns which are an almost ubiquitous feature of the territory's beaches. Lime, a valuable commodity useful for caulking and protecting wooden boats against marine organisms, waterproofing contain- ers, dressing the acid soils of agricultural fields, building and many other purposes, 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. The Sung Wong Toi inscription, now relocated near the entrance to 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 and Mai Po and celadons of Song type from various sites, especially Nim Shue Wan, Lantau, date from this 'epoch.
Recent archaeological studies are beginning to throw 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 in recent years from a site at Penny's Bay, Lantau. Preliminary results suggest that this porcelain very fine quality export ware of the kind which found its way to the courts of Southeast Asia and the West and dates from the first few decades of the 15th century AD. The ongoing excavation of the Qing period fort on Tung Lung Island has already revealed fascinating details of the internal arrangements of the fortification and the everyday utensils of a remote garrison during the final stages of Imperial China.
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