- Prehistoric Hong Kong
In the
prehistory ofHong Kong , according to archaeological studies and many other resources, human activity in Hong Kong dates back over fivemillennia .Palaeolithic
Evidence of a
Palaeolithic settlement in Hong Kong was found inWong Tei Tung (黃地峒) nearSham Chung (深涌), beside theThree Fathoms Cove inSai Kung Peninsula . There were 6000 artifacts found in a slope in the area and jointly confirmed by theHong Kong Archaeological Society and Centre for Lingnan Archaeology ofZhongshan University . [ [http://www.hkarch.org/en_news.html 2005 Field Archaeology on Sham Chung Site] ] It is believed that the Three Fathom Cove was ariver valley during that period and ancient people collected stone tools from the lithic manufacturing site in Wong Tei Tung to the settlement in nearTolo Harbour andMirs Bay .Neolithic
Hong Kong is located on the coast of
South China . Unlike northern China, the settlers in this area were theChe people (輋族). ExcavatedNeolithic artifacts suggest a difference from northern ChineseStone-Age cultures, including theLongshan . Excavated sites in Hong Kong were largely located on the western shores of Hong Kong. This location was most likely chosen to avoid strong winds from the southeast and to collect food from the nearby shores. Settlement can be found inCheung Chau ,Lantau Island andLamma Island .Artifacts
Evidences of using fire were found from
Chung Hom Kok on theHong Kong Island . In late Neolithic, their settlement extends from shores to the hills nearby.Carvings
Eight
stone carvings have been discovered:
*Po Toi Island
*Tung Lung Island
*Kau Sai Chau
*Cheung Chau
*Shek Pik on Lantau Island
*Wong Chuk Hang
*Big Wave Bay onHong Kong Island
*Lung Ha Wan (龍蝦灣) inSai Kung All are believed to date back to the
Bronze Age in northern China, approximatelyShang Dynasty inChina . The carvings are also believed to pacify the badweather .tone circles
Stone circles were found in
Fan Lau and other areas in Hong Kong. Its purpose is still unidentified but some suggests it is related to worship.Bronze Age
The coming of
Warring States Period brought the influx ofYuet people from north into the area. They probably avoided the unstabilities at the north and went south.Bronze fishing, combat and ritual tools were excavated on Lantau Island and Lamma Island.Ma Wan was the earliest settlement with direct evidents in Hong Kong. Another one isLung Kwu Tan . Bronze tools were found on Lantau Island, Cheung Chau,Chek Lap Kok as well. Regular holes on ground were found inHa Pak Nai . It is believed they are the foundation of grand houses at that period.Yuet people were competing and assimilating with indigenous Che people. It is believed there were wars between them.
Qin Shi Huang ofQin dynasty sent large numbers of army and Qin subjects toGuangdong made the competition harder. Part of Yuet people becameTanka people .There is still no written documents and artefacts related to Qin rules and early
Han dynasty rules. The excavation ofLei Cheng Uk Han Tomb of later Han dynasty effective brings Hong Kong out of prehistory.References
ee also
*
History of Hong Kong
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