HISTORY
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major outside influences. There is little dispute, on the other hand, that these earliest periods, from the close of the 4th millennium BC, must be seen within the framework of a changing environment, which saw sea levels rising from depths as low as 100 metres below the present inexorably submerging vast tracts of coastal plain and establishing a basically modern shoreline and ecology to which human groups in the area had to adapt or perish.
The stone tools, pottery and other artifacts 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, though scanty, is not totally absent.
Recent excavations have revealed two main neolithic cultures lying in stratified sequence. At the lower, older level, 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.
Cord-marked pottery and chipped stone tools continue as long-lived traditions 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, 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 artifacts do not seem to have been in common use, but 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 Kwo Lo Wan on Chek Lap Kok Island, and Tung Wan and Sha Lo Wan on Lantau Island, in the form of stone moulds, that the metal was actually worked locally.
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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 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 well-known 'Kui-dragon' or 'double F' pattern, so characteristic of this period.
Archaeology is silent on questions such as the ethnic and linguistic affinities of the ancient peoples. However, the start of recorded history has ancient Chinese literary records speaking of maritime peoples occupying China's southeastern seaboard and known as 'Yue'. 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, on Kau Sai, Po Toi, Cheung Chau and Tung Lung islands; at Shek Pik on Lantau Island; and at Big Wave Bay and Wong Chuk Hang on Hong Kong Island.