ENG-1999 — Page 446

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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drainage improvement at Kam Tin and Yuen Long, widening of Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway, main drainage works at Ngau Tam Mei in Yuen Long, roads and drains for Area 56 in Tuen Mun. The office also conducted marine archaeological investigations in connection with the Cheung Chau Sewage Outfall at Kellett Bay project and at the Penny's Bay Reclamation area. These surveys and investigations have yielded valuable data on the archaeological potential of the various project areas. Appropriate mitigation measures would be arranged to safeguard the archaeological remains.

In 1999, the AMO also conducted surveys of Areas 13 and 14 in Yuen Long and the project areas of the following development or works projects: drainage improvement work in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, the extension of Tolo Highway and Fanling Highway, the Tuen Mun Sewerage Phase IV of Stage I, the Western Coast Road in Tseung Kwan O, the engineering work in Yuen Long Kau Hui (Yuen Long Old Market) and Kam Tin Road Stage II. The field surveys yielded valuable data on the cultural heritage sites within the various project areas and appropriate mitigation measures were subsequently arranged to address the impact of the development on the affected sites.

The most rewarding archaeological operation was the rescue excavation at Ho Chung, Sai Kung, from April to July. This excavation was assisted by three archaeological institutions in the Mainland - the Anthropology Department of Zhongshan University, the Guangxi Provincial Archaeological Team and the Hunan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology with a total of nearly 50 archaeologists participating. The excavation, which covered an area of more than 1 400 square metres, yielded remains of three cultural phases the Late Neolithic (circa 2000 BC), Tang and Song dynasties (AD 618-1127), and Ming and Qing dynasties (AD 1368-1911). The most spectacular discovery was a Neolithic workshop of about 200 square metres for manufacturing stone tools in which large quantity of stone cores, flakes and tools such as adzes, picks and polishing stones were found. This workshop is the first of its kind found in Hong Kong, thus providing valuable data for the study of stone-working methods in prehistoric times here. Another significant finding was the presence of some 200 post-holes within the Tang and Song cultural layer, suggesting the presence of a large settlement at Ho Chung during the Song Dynasty. The AMO also conducted rescue excavations at Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun from January to March, at Lo So Shing in May and at Man Kok Tsui in July and August. A series of eight kiln structures of the Tang Dynasty was found in Lung Kwu Tan and a large quantity of Bronze Age artefacts was unearthed in Man Kok Tsui, thus providing more research materials to facilitate the study of Hong Kong's past.

The ancient kiln site at Wun Yiu, Tai Po, is one of the earliest industrial site in Hong Kong which can be traced back to the middle of the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago. Remains of various stages of porcelain production were found scattered over the site. The AMO secured funds from the Government to convert one of the vacant Wun Yiu School buildings into a visitor centre for storage and display of excavated finds from the kiln site.

Upon completion of the reroofing works of the Heritage Resource Centre at 136 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, an exhibition entitled The Heritage of Hong Kong and South China - The Cultural Link was staged from September 24 to the end of December. This exhibition was organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the