National Museum of Prehistory (Taiwan)

National Museum of Prehistory
國立臺灣史前文化博物館
Established	August 17, 2002
Location	Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan
Type	History museum
Website	nmp.gov.tw

The National Museum of Prehistory is located in Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan.

Overview

The museum was designed by American architect Michael Graves and is situated on a 10 ha (100,000 m³) parcel of land.^[1] The museum is divided into many sections, including: Sun Square, Mountain Square, Administrative Building, Children's Play Area, The Maze, Water Fountain Show, Bird Singing Square, and Sightseeing Hill.^[1]

History

In 1980, during the construction of the South Line Railway Station, building work uncovered prehistoric remains on the Peinan Site (卑南遺址).^[2] Many slate coffins and artifacts were discovered, and after a proposal by the Taitung City Government, construction on the station was halted. For 10 years, a National Taiwan University-led team excavated the 10,000 m² (110,000 sq ft) site and uncovered over 1,500 burials and tens of thousands of artifacts.^[2] The site is widely regarded as the most important site of the mid-Neolithic age in Taiwan.

An outdoor museum was proposed and approved in 1990. Trial operations began on July 10, 2001, and the museum officially opened on August 17, 2002.^[2]

External links

• Official website

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "About Us: The Museum". National Museum of Prehistory. http://en.nmp.gov.tw/about04.html. Retrieved 2010-07-22. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Establishment". National Museum of Prehistory. http://en.nmp.gov.tw/about01.html. Retrieved 2010-07-22.