1
Introduction
ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) has been commissioned by the Castle Peak Power
Company Limited (CAPCO) to undertake the EIA for a proposed LNG terminal at
Black Point. A Cultural Heritage
Impact Assessment (CHIA) is one of the components of the EIA study. To obtain field data for the CHIA, an Archaeological Survey at Black Point has
been undertaken.
The purpose of the archaeological
survey is to investigate the presence of any archaeological deposits within 100
m from the boundary of the proposed development as shown in Figure
1.1.
Where archaeological remains are identified, their nature, horizontal
and vertical extent have been determined.
Prior to archaeological survey
commencement, a Licence to conduct the archaeological survey and an Excavation
Permit were obtained from the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) under
the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53) and the District Land
Office (Islands) under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Ordinance (Cap. 28)
respectively. The fieldwork was undertaken between 12
and 15 October 2005.
This Report presents the findings for
the archaeological survey.
1.2
Archaeological
Survey Team Members
The following individuals
participated in the archaeological survey:
Mr
Steven Ng of ERM Project
Field Director, Licensed Archaeologist;
Ms
Peggy Wong of ERM Trained
Field Archaeologist;
Mr
Wong Fu Trained Field Archaeologist;
and
Ms Zoe Chan of ERM Trained
Assistant Field Archaeologist.
In addition to the above team
members, eight trained labourers were employed to assist in the survey and a
team of qualified Land Surveyors from
Land Marker (1980) HK Company Limited assisted with the land surveying
work.
Mr Steven Ng, Ms Peggy Wong, Ms Zoe
Chan and Mr Wong Fu undertook post-excavation processing and analysis of
fieldwork records, artefact assessment, preparation of rubbing, drawings, video
recording and photographic records of artefacts.
Following this introductory section,
the remainder of this report comprises the following sections:
Section
2 describes
the objectives and methodology for the archaeological survey;
Section
3 presents the site background (including
information on the geology, topography, hydrology, historical, ethnological and
archaeological backgrounds);
Section 4 presents the archaeological survey
findings;
Section
5 presents the preliminary finds
assessment; and
Section
6 presents the conclusions.
The
following annexes have also been included:
Annex 12-A-A Soil Profile of Auger Holes;
Annex
12-A-B Stratigraphy of Test Pits; and
Annex 12-A-C Land Survey of Test Pits Positions.
2
Objectives and Methodology
The
objectives of the archaeological survey were to obtain adequate data to
determine the presence, extent, depth, chronology, character and survival
condition of identified archaeological deposits, if any.
2.2.1
Desktop Study
Prior
to commencement of the fieldwork, a desktop review and document research were
undertaken to establish the fieldwork scope and strategy to obtain adequate
field data, following Sections 1.4.3
and 1.5.3 of Criteria for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment established by
AMO. This included the review of site condition, past land use,
vegetation cover, landform, hydrogeology, annual wind direction and sea
currents, previous archaeological fieldwork findings, historical and geological
maps and aerial photographs from the 1950s to 1990s. The fieldwork
scope and strategy were then agreed with AMO of Leisure and Culture Services
Department (LCSD) prior to fieldwork commencement.
2.2.2
Field Walking
Field walking was conducted within the Project Area to
record artefacts on the ground surface and assess the archaeological potential
based on these finds. During field
walking, the extent, quantity and chronology of special and general artefacts
are recorded. In addition, the position of any special artefacts found was
precisely recorded.
2.2.3
Hand Augering
An augering was undertaken to examine
the presence of any cultural layers through the investigation of the vertical
soil profile according to the soil colour or texture. Comparison of the stratigraphy of
different auger holes assists in determining the extent of an archaeological
deposit area. A total of 40 auger
holes were bored (see Section 4.2 for
details).
2.2.4
Test Pits Excavation
The
purpose of test pit excavation is to investigate the vertical and horizontal
extent of any identified cultural layers.
A total of 9 test pits were excavated (see Section 4.3 for details).
The size of the test pits measured either 1 m x 1.5 m or 2 m
x 1 m subject to site conditions, and were excavated to a depth of between 0.8
m to 3.5 m below ground level subject to site conditions. All test pits were excavated to the
sterile layer. All test pits were
excavated manually by trained labourers under the supervision of the project
field director or archaeologists. After
the excavation works were complete, all test pits were backfilled and
reinstated to their original state.
2.2.5
Recording, Reporting and Processing of
Finds
The site code of the archaeological
survey was designated as BP05
representing "Black Point" and the year of the survey.
Positions of the test pits were recorded according to the
The stratum of each test pit or auger
hole was distinguished by natural deposits in terms of soil colour, soil
texture and any human activities or cultural remains. All auger holes, test pits and deposits were recorded
using ERM’s recording system which is compliant with AMO’s standard.
Stratigraphic drawings and
photographic records of at least one section of each test pit were undertaken
whenever site conditions allowed.
The formation of the soil layers is
influenced by both natural and human factors. A soil layer without human or artificial
remains is generally classified as a “natural layer”. A soil layer with man-made features or
remains is regarded as a “cultural layer”.
All artefacts identified were carefully
washed, cleaned, labelled, bagged and boxed. Their functions and chronology were
preliminarily assessed, and when possible, sorted typologically. Special or datable finds were
registered, drawn and photographed.
The chronology of artefacts in this
investigation adopted a “cross-dating method ([1]) ” i.e. the finds are dated by
referencing datable findings recorded in published archaeological reports.
3
Site Background
3.1
Geology, Topography and Hydrology
The solid geology of Black Point is dominated by
Mesozoic granite rock with a medium grain size. Northeast-Southwest running faults can
commonly be found. The superficial
deposit of Black Point is mainly composed of colluvial debris flow
deposits. Two seasonal streams run
to the sea ([2]) (see Figure 3.1).
The Project Area is mainly comprised of a headland
with an elevation of 135 mPD. There
is no natural terrace or flat area within the Project Area. Granite boulders are commonly found
exposed on the hill slope.
3.2
Archaeological
Background
The
Project Site is located next to the former Yung Long archaeological site (at
the beach area beneath the existing Black Point Power Station). The archaeological site was identified
by the Hong Kong Archaeological Society in 1974 and was listed as an
archaeological site in 1981. In 1983, a survey was conducted and two test pits
were excavated. Kiln furniture such
as kiln bars, kiln brick, kiln cover, fire grille, pot-stands was identified.
Based on these finds, the site was considered to be a “Neolithic pottery kiln
complex ([3]). During 1992 and 1993, a full rescue
excavation was conducted to preserve the site by record due to the construction
of the Black Point Power Station at the site. The findings included
archaeological features such as house foundation post holes, firing stove,
burials, workshop areas and artefacts such as stone
tools and stone rings, stone weights, pottery shards and bone tools dated to
the early phase of the Late Neolithic Age([4])
(BC 2,900 to BC 2,400).
3.3
Historical and
Ethnological Background
The
Project Area is mainly a hilly area that is not favourable for human
settlement. No record of permanent
settlement has been identified within the Project Site.
4
Archaeological Survey Findings
Although
the Project Site itself was not favourable for ancient human settlement, it is
noted that quartz can be easily identified in the surrounding hill areas which would
have provided raw materials for stone tools. Thus, the beach areas to the north at
Black Point and south at Lung Kwu Tan favoured the establishment of ancient
settlement such as the former Yung Long archaeological site and the Lung Kwu
Sheung Tan archaeological site (see Figure 4.1). As the Lung Kwu Sheung Tan
archaeological site is outside the proposed development boundary, it was not
necessary to survey this site.
The slope angle at most of
Project Site is between 40 degrees to 55 degrees (see Figure 4.2).
Consequently, field walking was only undertaken at accessible
areas.
|
|
Figure
4.2 Steep
Slope at Black Point
Three
terrace platforms with granite block retaining wall structures were identified
at the rocky shore as shown in Figure 4.3. They are detailed below.
4.1.1
Terrace 1
Two separate building structures
were identified, termed Structure 2a and 2b (see Figure 4.4). The two structures are located at the
northern tip of the Project Site facing northeast at approximately +22 mPD.
Structure 2a is a dilapidated
building measuring approximately 2 m x 2 m. It has a pitch roof but the roof tiles
were mostly broken. The foundations
of the gable walls were built with granite blocks, lime plastered with grey and
reddish bricks built on top of the foundations. The structure measures about 1.6 m high. No decorative features or datable
artefacts were identified. It is
not known when the structure was built.
Based on the material used for the building, it was built in the late 19th
century to early to middle 20th century. As buildings built with similar material
can still commonly be found in most of the
Structure 2b is a stone wall
measuring approximately 2 m x 4 m, a terraced platform with stone wall supports
and a circle shaped stone structure likely to have been used for cooking
purposes. Based on the material
used for the building, it is likely to have been built in late 19th
century to early 20th century.
The structure is considered to have little architectural value.
4.1.2
Terrace 2
A
terrace area with built granite block retaining walls (see Figure 4.5) was
identified. However, no artefacts
were identified. At the slope from
the terrace towards the rocky shore, a cave measuring 1.5m in height was
identified (see Figure 4.5). The cave is approximately 2.3m deep and
faces northwest towards the
4.1.3
Terrace 3
Terrace
3 is located by the coast at approximately +20 mPD facing the sea (see Figures
4.3 and 4.6). It is a stone built rectangular
structure measuring approximately 2 m x 4 m. The structure is unroofed and has steps
built of stone linking the terraced platform to the rocky shore. No datable artefacts were identified
around the Structure. Therefore, it
is not known when the structure was built.
Based
on the materials of construction, it is likely to have been built in the late
19th century to early to 20th century. The structure is considered to have
little architectural value as similar structures are commonly found in most
areas of the
A
total of 40 auger holes were bored within the Project Area (see Figure 4.7). No artefacts were found from
augering, confirming that the area is of no or low archaeological potential.
For details of auger hole results, please see Annex 12-A-A.
A
total of 9 test pits were excavated within the Project Area (see Figure
4.3). Only one of these pits, TP B5, was found to contain artefacts. In
this pit, a large number of roof tile fragments and pot shards were
identified. No remains were found
in the rest of the pits. For full
details of the test pit findings see Annex
12-A-B. A summary of key
findings are presented below, and in Table
4.1.
Two
test pits (TPs BP5 and BP9) were allocated at two of the terraces, Terrace 1
and Terrace 3 respectively (see Figure 4.3). A large number of roof tile fragments,
black glazed pot shards and reddish slip pot shards (see Figure 4.8) were
identified in L1 of TP BP5.
According to the typology of the shards, they are common village wares
dated to the late 19th century to middle 20th
centuries. The roof tiles found in
L1 of TP BP5 are yellowish in colour the same as those on the roof of the
ruined building structure. The roof
tiles are common construction material used in the late 19th to
early 20th centuries for Chinese buildings.
Table
4.1 Summary
of Test Pits Findings
|
Test
Pit |
Findings
Result |
|||
|
|
Prehistoric Age |
Historic Period (late 19th to early 20th
centuries) |
Others |
No Finds |
|
TP BP1 |
|
|
|
ü |
|
TP BP2 |
|
|
|
ü |
|
TP BP3 |
|
|
|
ü |
|
TP SP4 |
|
|
|
ü |
|
TP BP5 |
|
ü |
|
|
|
TP BP6 |
|
|
|
ü |
|
TP BP7 |
|
|
ü(1) |
|
|
TP BP8 |
|
|
ü(1) |
|
|
TP BP9 |
|
|
|
ü |
Note: (1)
Natural quartz/quartz flakes
5
Preliminary Finds Assessment
5.1.1
Roof
Tiles
A
total of 83 pieces of broken yellow roof tiles (selected samples are shown in Figure
4.8) were identified in L1 of TP BP5. According to the colour and fabric of the
roof tiles, they are identical to the roof tiles of the abandoned building
structure which is dated to late 19th to early 20th
centuries.
5.1.2
Pot
Shards
A
total of 36 broken pottery shards were identified including the rims and
body. They were discovered in
association with the broken roof tiles in L1 of TP BP5. They are mainly darkbrown glaze pots and
basin shards (selected samples are shown in Figure 4.8) commonly used in
villages in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
6
Conclusions
Although some late 19th to early
20th century artefacts were identified at Terrace 1, they are common
village wares that are still commonly used and found in the
No finds were identified at Terrace 2 from
the field walking and building structures appeared to be used for agricultural
purposes during the late 19th to early 20th
centuries. These building
structures are also considered to be of low cultural heritage significance.
The cave feature identified at Black Point
was believed to have been constructed for military purposes in WWII but no
artefacts related to military uses were discovered. Similar caves that have a more complex
network of tunnels have been found elsewhere in Hong Kong such as on
On Terrace 3, some simple wall structures
were found. No artefacts were
located to aid the investigation of their function. The structures are considered to have no
special architectural value.