Artifact heightens interest in prehistoric New Taipei

2015/09/24

A possibly 1,800-year-old pottery vessel unearthed over a quarter of a century ago in northern Taiwan was recently put back on display at New Taipei City-based Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology.

Dug up in 1989 at Shihsanhang Archaeological Site in Bali District, the red-brown earthenware object with a human face on its body is the only one of its kind found in Taiwan. Experts consider the piece to be a burial item, indicating the existence of religious rituals on the island during the Iron Age.

SMA Director Wu Hsiu-tzu said one of the distinctive characteristics of the vessel is the pattern comprising circles and dots on its collar and bottom. “But what really stands out is the expressive face, with its slit-like eyes, protruding eyebrows, delicate mouth and large ears.”

As part of efforts to better preserve and showcase the item, SMA commissioned a free-standing climate-controlled cabinet providing 360-degree views. “This allows visitors to fully appreciate the outstanding craftsmanship and creativity of Shihsanhang’s prehistoric residents,” Wu added.

According to SMA, the artifact was excavated 1.5 kilometers from Tamsui River and belongs to the culture of the Kaitakelan people. Spanning Langyang Plain and Taipei Basin, the site was one of the ethnic group’s political and economic centers in northern Taiwan.

Shihsanhang was discovered in 1957 by the late Lin Chao-chi, a geology professor at National Taiwan University. Although a number of promising finds were made during small-scale digs, it was not until construction of Bali Sewage Treatment Plant that a more comprehensive excavation program was initiated.

This led to the unearthing of the vessel, as well as animal bones, beads, iron tools and shells. It also saw the area designated as a grade-two historic site in 1991 by the Ministry of the Interior.

“We look forward to this evocative object boosting interest in Taiwan’s prehistoric past and further promoting the museum as a hot spot for culturally minded tourists and locals alike,” Wu said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237040&ctNode=2194&mp=9)