In 1997, the Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Archaeology, conducted a significant archaeological excavation in Ma Wan. This excavation unveiled relics spanning six historical periods, with the earliest artifacts dating back 5,000 years to the Middle Neolithic period. These finds included sand-tempered pottery fragments, Late Neolithic burials, and valuable human skeletal remains from Ma Wan. Due to its importance, this discovery was recognized as one of China’s “Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 1997.”
Most of the excavated artifacts are now professionally preserved by the Antiquities and Monuments Office. Among them are a Tang Dynasty ash kiln, a Qing Dynasty brick kiln, and a reconstructed replica of a 5,000-year-old Ma Wan human figure, all of which are currently displayed in the Heritage Museum. This museum was repurposed from the Fong Yuen Study Hall (Little Fong Yuen), originally established in 1956, and has since become a key destination for history and archaeology enthusiasts.
In October 2021, Ma Wan’s Tung Wan Tsai North Site was honored as one of China’s “Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the Past Century,” alongside significant sites such as Zhoukoudian in Beijing, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, and the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck. The site had previously been selected in 1997 as one of China’s top ten archaeological discoveries, a designation given by experts commissioned by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, who selected the most significant finds from 479 excavation projects. In 2001, it was further recognized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences as one of “China’s Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the 21st Century,” making it the only archaeological site in Hong Kong to receive all three prestigious honors.
Ma Wan’s archaeological discoveries highlight the region’s deep historical and cultural significance, offering invaluable insights into the development of civilization spanning thousands of years. The site stands as a vital cultural asset for understanding Hong Kong’s ancient past and the progression of human history.
