Glass beads, copper bells, and fish-shaped knots are artifacts of the Kavalan culture found in Taiwan.
Construction or renovation often brings many discoveries. While digging a foundation pit for the new building of the National University of Yilan County in Taiwan, artifacts that are about 400 years old were discovered.
Archaeologists have been able to recognize glass beads, copper bells and rings, discs and fish-shaped metal knots. Near the artifacts, which were tentatively dated to the 17th century, the remains of three people were also found.
According to researchers, the finds belong to the Kavalan culture, the indigenous people of Taiwan. Most of them moved to the coastal regions of the Republic of China in the 19th century due to the encroachments of the Han settlers.
Archaeologists associate the find with the Old Village of Baili, a Kavalan settlement. One of the earliest written references to these native Taiwanese is from 1632, when a Spanish ship was wrecked in the area by a typhoon. There is also a record of 1650, which was made by navigators of the Dutch East India Company. The Han Chinese have been trying to establish themselves in the area since 1768. But their first settlement was founded only by 1796. Later, the flow of Han people to Taiwan increased, due to which the way of life of the kavalan changed.
This is the first find of archaeological value found on campus. Of particular interest are knots in the form of fish.
The university management notes that it treats the archaeological sites on the territory of the educational institution with great respect. Therefore, it finances permanent exhibitions related to the history of these places. As for the discovered artifacts, after detailed research they will be placed in the university museum.
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Archaeologists have been able to recognize glass beads, copper bells and rings, discs and fish-shaped metal knots. Near the artifacts, which were tentatively dated to the 17th century, the remains of three people were also found.
According to researchers, the finds belong to the Kavalan culture, the indigenous people of Taiwan. Most of them moved to the coastal regions of the Republic of China in the 19th century due to the encroachments of the Han settlers.
Archaeologists associate the find with the Old Village of Baili, a Kavalan settlement. One of the earliest written references to these native Taiwanese is from 1632, when a Spanish ship was wrecked in the area by a typhoon. There is also a record of 1650, which was made by navigators of the Dutch East India Company. The Han Chinese have been trying to establish themselves in the area since 1768. But their first settlement was founded only by 1796. Later, the flow of Han people to Taiwan increased, due to which the way of life of the kavalan changed.
This is the first find of archaeological value found on campus. Of particular interest are knots in the form of fish.
The university management notes that it treats the archaeological sites on the territory of the educational institution with great respect. Therefore, it finances permanent exhibitions related to the history of these places. As for the discovered artifacts, after detailed research they will be placed in the university museum.
Read also: Scientists have investigated Tutankhamen's "space" dagger
Photo © taipeitimes.com
Photo © taipeitimes.com
Photo © taipeitimes.com
