Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

This project focuses on the systematic archaeological excavation of the Duan-Po-Shan Site (DPS Site) and the Da-Ciou I Site (DCI Site). The DPS Site was discovered in 2020. In 2021, a road slope collapse led to the exposure of a shell midden and cultural layers. During an emergency manage project in 2022, a substantial quantity of prehistoric pottery, prehistoric stoneware, and stone tools was recovered. Radiocarbon dating indicates an age of approximately 3634-3258 BP, demonstrating significant academic value. However, the cultural content of the site remains to be clarified. The DCI Site was first identified in 2012, with remains dating to both the prehistoric period and Song-Yuan Dynasties. A test excavation project conducted in 2021 confirmed the presence of Song-Yuan Dynasties architectural structures as well as prehistoric cultural deposits; however, the precise chronology and function of the site are still uncertain. This project proposes to deepen understanding of the cultural contexts of both sites through archaeological excavations, surface surveys, drillings, and artifact analysis.

Results/Contributions

The Duanpo Mountain archaeological site is an important discovery that helps fill in the historical gap of the Matsu Islands. According to the radiocarbon dating results from the emergency treatment plan for the collapsed slope in 2022, the site dates back to approximately 3634 to 3258 years ago. Artifacts uncovered include patterned hard pottery vessels and stem cups with cloud and thunder pattern markings, which show a high correlation with the Huangtulu Culture. Furthermore, comparisons with artifacts from the Chipinglong site, colored pottery from Huangguanyu, and black pottery from Huangguashan reflect the development context of colored and patterned hard pottery across the region. The site, located at an elevation of about 80 meters, yielded a large number of shellfish remains, suggesting that it possessed a geographical advantage for observing surrounding maritime areas and monitoring navigation activities, possibly involving the supply or exchange of goods. Rice imprint traces were also found on the pottery, marking the first evidence of prehistoric rice cultivation in Matsu, which is of critical significance to the research on the spread of rice cultivation in East Asia. The Daqiu I archaeological site is a dual cultural layer site. The upper layer corresponds to the Song dynasty, where stone structures and fire pits from the Song period were discovered for the first time in Matsu. The finds include tiles, celadon, Qingbai porcelain, and suspected bronze arrowheads and ornamental belt fittings, which indicate the site's possible role as a maritime defense point, echoing the strategic position of the Minjiang River estuary. No Ming dynasty remains were found at the site, reflecting the temporal gap created by maritime prohibition policies. The lower prehistoric cultural layer is speculated to be from the Middle Neolithic period, primarily featuring tempered soft pottery and chipped stone tools. This contrasts significantly with the Liang Island tail site group and the Chipinglong site in Matsu, showcasing the diversity and complexity of prehistoric culture in Matsu.

Keywords

Duan-Po-Shan Site (DPS Site), Da-Ciou I Site (DCI Site), Archaeological Excavation, Prehistoric Period of Matsu, Song-Yuan Dynasties of Matsu

Contact Information

邱鴻霖副教授
chiu_alex@hotmail.com