URA To Expand Archaeology Search In Wong Tai Sin

The Urban Renewal Authority said on Thursday that it will expand the scope of archaeological work at a redevelopment project site in Wong Tai Sin, after relics up to 600 years old from Hong Kong’s last urban walled village were found at the site.

The foundations of watch towers, remains of village walls, and a moat are from as early as the Ming dynasty that started in the 14th century, or the Qing dynasty that followed it from the 17th century.

The remains were unearthed at the site of the old Nga Tsin Wai village during an archaeological impact assessment carried out by the authority.

It plans to build 750 flats there in a joint-venture with developer Cheung Kong Property Holdings, but the project has been put on hold due to the excavation work.

An executive director of the authority, Michael Ma, said independent archaeologist Julie Van Den Bergh will continue to carry out excavation works at the site. But it’s too early to say how the latest discoveries could affect the project‘s design, he said.

“Whether these findings will be preserved in situ [at the spot], or how we are going to mitigate it should there be any redevelopment … we will have to wait until Julie finishes the report by the end of the year,” said Ma.

He said the authority will then have to hold talks with the Antiquities and Monuments Office and relevant government departments to decide what to do with the findings.