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A special ceremony was held today (December 30) to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb. A renovation project to enhance the protection of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum has just been completed.
Officiating guests included the Deputy Director (Culture) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Mr Chung Ling-hoi; Chairman of the Committee on Museums, Dr Philip Wu Po-him; Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council, Mr Tam Kwok-kiu; and History Adviser (Archaeology) of LCSD, Dr Michael Lau.
The Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Dr Joseph Ting Sun-pao said the Han tomb had been protected by concrete, waterproofing layers, topsoil and turf. "In recent years, the tomb suffered from rainwater leakage problems. To protect the structure of the tomb, the department decided to carry out a series of renovation works that began in January this year. These works included building a canopy to cap the tomb and refurbishing the exhibition hall adjacent to the tomb. The renovation of the exhibition hall was completed in June. The hall was re-opened in the same month, while the building of the canopy was completed in October," Dr Ting said.
He said the specially designed canopy blended with the historic monument, providing visitors with a brand new museum experience. A visit to the renovated Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum would be both inspiring and educational.
"On display is one of the new exhibitions, 'Han Culture in South China'. The Han tombs and artifacts unearthed in South China are featured in the exhibition to explore the cultural characteristics of the South China during the Han dynasty (206 BC ¡ª AD 220). The exhibition hall is installed with the latest multi-media equipment to reveal the interior condition of the tomb," Dr Ting said.
The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb was discovered in 1955 when the Government was levelling a slope at Lei Cheng Uk Village for the construction of resettlement buildings. Judging by its structure, inscriptions on the tomb bricks and tomb finds, it is believed that the tomb was built in the Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25 ¡ª 220). The tomb was declared as a gazetted monument in 1988 and is now permanently preserved. Though the Han tomb is closed for conservation reasons, visitors can glimpse the interior of the tomb through the glass panel at the entrance passage.
The exhibition hall was built adjacent to the tomb. In addition to the display of pottery and bronze ware excavated from the tomb, two exhibitions, 'Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb' and the new 'Han Culture in South China' are now open to the public. Texts, graphics, photos, maps, videos and models are used to introduce the geographical situation, discovery and structure of the tomb, as well as the social and cultural characteristics of South China during the Han dynasties.
The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum is located at 41 Tonkin Street, Sham Shui Po. It opens from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, from 1pm to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays and from 1pm to 5pm on Lunar New Year's Eve. It is closed on Thursdays, the first day of January and the first three days of Lunar New Year. Admission is free.
For details, please call 2386 2863.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:17
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