Prehistory of Hong Kong Trivia Quiz

Answer: Paleolithic Age

The Paleolithic Age, also called the Old Stone Age, both began and ended at different times in different parts of the world. It is generally described as a time when small nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers began to form primitive tools in order to make work easier. First it must be noted that different sources give different dates for the origin of the artifacts found in what was prehistoric Hong Kong; some date the tools as early as 40,000 years. Until 2006, archaeologists believed that settlement around Hong Kong was only 7,000 years old.

The discovery of thousands of primitive artifacts that year has pushed the earliest history of the area back several thousand years.

Answer: Wong Tei Tung

The early settlement site of Wong Tei Tung was discovered in 2003 by Steven Ng Wai-hung and Wong Fu, two archaeologists who were fishing in the area. Interestingly, the archaeologists who have studied the area have found some remains that date back 7,000 years and some that date back to more than 30,000 years. What happened in between is still a mystery. Because no human fossils have been found to date, it is very difficult to ascertain much about the humans who lived in the area. Archeologists are still trying to determine whether the people lived at another location or if their physical remains were somehow swept into the sea.

Answer: Stone Tools

What Steven Ng Wai-hung and Wong Fu noticed that fateful day back in 2003 was that the stones that were scattered around the beach where they were fishing seemed to have formed shapes. There is an outcrop of silicon tuff in the area that would have been perfect for the manufacturing of stone weapons.

In fact, nine different types of stone tools and weapons have been uncovered at the site, including short axes, picks, scrapers, and choppers. According to one source, over 7,000 stone tools have been found at the site.

Answer: Baiyue

Also called the Hundred Yue or Yue, the Baiyue moved into the present Hong Kong territory during a period that is called the "Warring States", probably to avoid conflict to the northern part of the country. Their name first appeared on a Shang Dynasty document that dates back to 1200 BC. Seen as barbaric and backward, when in fact it appears that they were not, later groups had little respect for the Baiyue people.

They were assimilated into other Chinese peoples by the first millennium AD.

Answer: Pottery

The Neolithic Age began in the present Hong Kong territory about 7,000 years ago. Divided into four phases, each phase is characterized by the manufacturing of pottery. While many associate the Neolithic Age was a farming revolution that hasn't been found to date in the area, the existence of pottery does imply that farming of some sort was taking place.

The ability to end the nomadic existence and settle down and farm gave people time to create other crafts, such as pottery. What use would the people have had for pottery? Why, storing their foodstuffs, of course! Each of the phases was characterized by different pottery styles, as well as innovations in tool making. Archaeologists believe the Neolithic Age in Hong Kong ended in approximately 3500 BC.

Answer: True

Also called the She, the Che is one of the fifty-six recognized ethnic groups in the People's Republic of China today. It is believed they were drawn to the area of Hong Kong during the Neolithic Age because of the fishing resources that were available close to the sea. Later groups of people drove the Che to the hillsides of the region, where they become farmers; it also appears that some of the people were salt traders.

Answer: True

Archaeologists in Hong Kong have been carrying out systematic studies of stone circles since the 1950s. The first stone circle found was called Lo Ah Tsai and located on Lamma Island. Twenty-eight stones have been found; they were placed to form two overlapping circles.

In 1980 another stone circle, Fan Lau, on Lantau Island, was discovered. Scientists are still unsure as to what the use of these circles was - perhaps they were used for rituals? - but believe they were constructed sometime during the Neolithic Age or Bronze Age.

Answer: Petroglyph

At least eight rock carvings have been found in the area that was prehistoric Hong Kong. While it is unknown why they were made - perhaps for religious purposes or to control the weather - they are believed to date back to the Bronze Age, approximately 1500-221 BC in Hong Kong. Most of the rock carvings have the status of "Declared Monuments"; they are structures or places that are legally protected by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

Answer: Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb

No written documents of the Qin Dynasty or the early Han Dynasty have ever been found. Inside the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, however, believed to have been constructed between 25-220 AD, are written documents that serve to end prehistory in the region of Hong Kong. Believed to have belonged to a Chinese army officer, the tomb is located on the Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong.

The tomb was discovered in 1955. Since 1957 the tomb and its museum have been open to the public; they are considered to be Declared Monuments.

Answer: Qin Dynasty

Considered to be China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang was attracted to the area around modern Hong Kong because it its fertile land and trade routes. The conquest of the Yue people was not an easy accomplishment; it took five military campaigns between 221 and 214 BC before the land and its resources were his. Perhaps the Yue were not as inferior as people said they were!