ENG-1995 — Page 423

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Another rescue excavation was conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office from July to September at Hung Shing Ye on Lamma Island. The site was affected by the upgrading of beach facilities by the Regional Council, which provided the full cost of the excavation. Bronze Age materials were discovered which allowed a better understanding of the distribution of archaeological remains at the site.

In order to promote interest in local archaeology, the Antiquities and Monuments Office presented an exhibition entitled Rescuing our Archaeological Past — Major discoveries since 1989. The exhibition from March to July was fully illustrated with major finds over the years.

The office was also heavily involved in the International Conference on Archaeology in Southeast Asia organised by the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong. A total of 41 scholars including 31 archaeologists from Australia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the USA presented papers at the Conference, which were compiled into a major publication. The conference was jointly funded by the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust and the Land Development Corporation. Two occasional papers, Neolithic Sha Lo Wan and Tung Wan Tsai — A Bronze Age and Han period coastal site were published.

Computer facilities generously made available by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club allowed faster documentation of the various collections within the Central Archaeological Repository. When completed in late 1996, the computerised reposi- tory will offer better research facilities to students, researchers and members of the general public.

The Antiquities and Monuments Office continued an exciting programme to promote local heritage among the public, in particular the younger generation. Apart from Rescuing Our Archaeological Past major discoveries since 1989, mentioned earlier, three other exhibitions Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, The Living Building and Changing Life Style in Hong Kong — were staged at the office's exhibition_gallery and were well-received. In co-operation with the Education Department, a series of seminars on Heritage Study and Environment were organised for teachers of social studies in primary schools. The office also organised workshops, field studies, lectures and voluntary services such as grass-cutting at historic sites and processing of archaeological finds for youth groups and school students to cultivate a sense of belonging among young people. The office helped the North and the Yuen Long District Boards each produce a booklet introducing the history, monuments and traditions of its district.

Lord Wilson Heritage Trust

The Lord Wilson Heritage Trust was established in December 1992 to provide an opportunity for the community to express its appreciation of Lord Wilson's contribution to Hong Kong during his term as Governor. It aims to promote the preservation and conservation of Hong Kong's human heritage.

During the year, the trust oversaw an imaginative range of activities. A 13-episode TV series of Hong Kong's heritage was screened on the Jade Channel from January to April. It attracted a wide audience and 2 000 video copies of the programme were produced for educational use.

The trust sponsored two international conferences, one on Archaeology in South- east Asia organised by the University of Hong Kong in March, the other on Chinese

355