ENG-2009 — Page 500

420 History

Han settlers to the region, who exerted different influences on the indigenous populations. Evidence of this is in the Han period coins that were dug up, but the most outstanding monument to this turbulent period must undoubtedly be the fine brick-built tomb uncovered at Lei Cheng Uk in Sham Shui Po in 1955, with its array of typical Han tomb furniture, dating back to the early to middle Eastern Han period. Excavations at Pak Mong on Lantau Island, on Kau Sai Chau, at Tung Wan Tsai on Ma Wan Island and at So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun all yielded considerable quantities of Han dynasty artefacts in well-stratified sequences, as well as four ceramic pots discovered from the drainage works site at Mong Kok. These included different pottery vessels, iron implements and a large quantity of bronze coins.

Archaeological remains from later historic periods are still relatively rare. Findings from excavations have shed welcome light on one aspect of life in Hong Kong during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907) the use of lime. This is revealed in a study of the dome-shaped lime kilns which are almost an ubiquitous feature of Hong Kong's beaches. Lime was a valuable and useful commodity which played an important role in the economy of the time.

Strong traditions link Hong Kong with the events that occurred during the Mongol incursions and with the concluding chapters of the Song dynasty in the 13th century AD. Several finds were from this period: the Sung Wong Toi inscription, now relocated near the entrance to the former Hong Kong International Airport in Kowloon; the Song inscription in the grounds of the Tin Hau Temple at Joss House. Bay; caches of Song coins from Shek Pik, Mai Po and Kellett Island; and Song-type celadons found at different sites, especially Nim Shue Wan and Shek Pik on Lantau Island and Ngau Hom Shek in Yuen Long.

Studies are beginning to shed fresh light on events in Hong Kong during the Ming (AD 1368-1644) and Qing (AD 1644-1911) dynasties. These include an analysis of considerable quantities of Ming blue-and-white porcelain collected and excavated from Penny's Bay, Lantau. They are very fine quality export ware of the kind that found its way to Southeast Asia and further west, and dates from the first decades. of the 16th century AD. During another excavation in 2001, more Ming remains were retrieved, including building foundations and structures suggesting the presence of a Ming settlement at Penny's Bay. Archaeological probes at the ancient kiln site at Wun Yiu in Tai Po suggested that potters probably began to manufacture blue-and-white ware locally as early as in the Ming dynasty. The local porcelain industry continued well into the early 20th century, spanning a period of more than 300 years. The excavation at So Kwun Wat in 2000 and 2008 identified more than 90 Ming dynasty graves. The burial items which include porcelain ware, bronze coins and iron implements dynasty.

shed light on the life of local inhabitants in the Ming

The excavation of the Qing dynasty fort on Tung Lung Chau has revealed fascinating details of the internal arrangements of the fortification and everyday utensils of the remote garrison during the final days of Imperial China. Archaeological investigations at the Kowloon Walled City site uncovered remnants of the old garrison wall and the two stone plaques above the original South Gate,