Appendix 10.1      Desk-based Review and Methodology for the Archaeological  Field Survey

 

1. 0      Review of Cultural Heritage

 

The main objectives of a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment are firstly, to identify and record all known cultural heritage resources as defined in the Criteria for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessments, secondly, to assess any direct and indirect impacts and finally, to recommend appropriate mitigation measures. In this review, heritage constraints and issues will be examined in light of the results of the baseline study.

 

1.1       Background to the Project

 

The drainage improvement works in Sai Kung involves works in three areas, namely Sha Ha, Pak Kong and Ho Chung.  

 

Proposed works at Sha Ha River:

 

(1)                Channel with grasscrete and masonry bank and natural bed will be constructed on the Sai Kung River for about 140m upstream of the Sha Ha Diversion culvert.  This includes: the widening of the river by excavation and construction of an access road 10m wide at the top of the culvert and along one side of the river;

(2)                Construction of three cell Sha Ha Diversion Culvert, involving site clearance and excavation.

 

Proposed works at Pak Kong and Ho Chung Rivers:

 

(1)     River widening by excavation;

(2)    Left bank with Ho Chung Road will remain untouched with exception the provision of the road crossing drains;

(3)    Maintenance access ramps will be constructed and a maintenance footpath on one side of the river if there is no access from existing road;

(4)    Temporary foot and vehicular bridges will be erected during construction;

(5)    Existing weirs will be replaced and the water will be temporarily diverted.

 

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study including a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (CHIA) is required for the study. The CHIA will comprise an Historical Building and Structures Survey and an Archaeological Field Survey.

 

1.2       Archaeological Resources

 

The following archaeological sites are located within or near the proposed works and, as a result, field survey will be required to assess the extent of potential impacts on archaeological resources:

 

            Sha Ha River

·         Sha Ha Archaeological Site

 

            Pak Kong River

·         Tai To Tun Archaeological Site

 

            Ho Chung River

·         Ho Chung Archaeological Site

 

1.3              Archaeological Background to the Works Areas

 

1.3.1        Sha Ha

 

Area within the archaeological site boundary.

 

The boundary of the archaeological site at Sha Ha is partially marked on figure 1.  It can be seen that part of the proposed drainage improvement works fall within the site boundary.  It is recommended that an archaeological investigation including an auger hole testing programme consisting of a minimum of 30 auger hole tests and a minimum of 10 test pit excavations be carried out prior to the construction of the proposed works.  Subject to the result of the archaeological investigation, a rescue excavation with the programme agreed by the Antiquities and Monuments Office may be required.  For any field work related to archaeology, the licensing requirement under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap.53) should be strictly followed. Further desk-based study will identify which portions of the project area have remained undisturbed and should be fully tested.

 

    

 

Figure 2   Sha Ha Study Area within the boundary of the archaeological site

 

Area outside the archaeological site boundary.

 

The area north of the road has a similar landform to the known archaeological site on the alluvial plain. The northern upper part of the works include the channeling of the existing river course and will have minimal impact on soils of archaeological interest as they impact on the river banks (figure 3).

 

 

Figure 3   Channeled river at Sha Ha upper

The turning bay (figure 4), access road and lower part of the drainage improvement works  (figures 5-7) should be investigated as they are proposed on former agricultural areas which have known minimal disturbance. 

 

 

 

Figure 4   Proposed turning bay area at Sha Ha                      Figure 5   Straightening of river and access road

 

 

 

Figure 6   Straightening of river and access road                     Figure 7   Straightening of river and access road

 

A field survey should be carried out to investigate the archaeological potential of this area.

 

The survey should comprise of the following:

 

·         Field scan of the entire surface area and the river bed;

·         Auger hole testing programme consisting of a minimum of 60 auger hole tests; and

·         A minimum of 10 test pit excavations.

 

The entire study area north of the road is not available for testing.  For example the riverbed, which should be scanned for finds, is not included in the auger and test excavation programme, additionally there are concrete paths and smaller areas of disturbances (sheds and temporary structures). 

 

 

1.3.2    Pak Kong

 

Remains belonging to the Ming and Qing dynasties were recovered in Ta Ho Tun.  The finds were found during the Territory-wide Survey in 1998 and included blue and white sherds and a ruined kiln wall (AMO-files).  These findings fall far outside the study area, but may be indicative of archaeological potential in the area.  The proposed drainage improvement works in Pak Kong will mainly affect the river and its riverbanks alluvial deposits (figures 8-11). 

 

 

 

 

Figure 8 Pak Kong Study Area. Southern end.                               Figure 9 Pak Kong Study Area. Southern end.

 

 

 

Figure 10 Pak Kong Study Area. Northern end.                                     Figure 11 Pak Kong Study Area in center.

 

·         A field visit to the area showed that the riverbank to the west of the river is occupied by nurseries (figure 9) and that the river banks are very low-lying compared to the surroundings (figure 11).  The proposed works will impact on the immediate river banks only and hence no investigation is proposed for the Pak Kong area.

 

1.3.3    Ho Chung.

 

·         The proposed drainage works of the Ho Chung River fall within the boundary of Ho Chung archaeological site.  Both historical and prehistoric material has been excavated from Ho Chung Valley (press release).  The channeling of the river will have little impact on soils of archaeological interest as it will mean excavating the immediate riverbanks.  The associated works areas such as the turning bay is similarly located on the alluvial plain.  Previous investigation has indicated that the alluvial plain at Ho Chung contains large boulders and cobbles (Strange and Shaw 1986) and has little archaeological potential (figures 12-15) (Archaeological Assessments 1999).  A field visit indicated that the turning bay is proposed on an existing road with retaining wall to the sides (figure 15). No field investigation is recommended for this area.

 

 

 

 

Figure 12 Ho Chung river banks                                             Figure 13 Ho Chung river banks

 

 

 

Figure 14 Ho Chung River lower course Figure 15 Ho Chung area of proposed turning bay.

 

 

2.         Scope of Survey

 

The desk-based study has identified the Sha Ha area as requiring archaeological field testing in advance of works:

 

2.1       Sha Ha Area within the archaeological site boundary. (figure 1 and 2)

 

The boundary of the archaeological site at Sha Ha is partially marked on figure 1.  It can be seen that part of the proposed drainage improvement works fall within the site boundary. 

An archaeological investigation will be carried out prior to the construction of the proposed works including:

 

1.       a field scan of the entire area within the project boundary;

2.       an auger hole testing programme consisting of a minimum of 60 auger hole tests placed at regular intervals; and

3.       a minimum of 10 test pit excavations measuring 2 by 2m.

 

  

2.2       Sha Ha Area outside the archaeological site boundary.

 

The area north of the road has a similar landform to the known archaeological site on the alluvial plain.  

 

The turning bay (figure 3), access road and lower part of the drainage improvement works areas (figures 4-6 and figure 1) should be investigated as they are proposed on former agricultural areas which have known minimal disturbance. 

 

A field survey will be carried out to investigate the archaeological potential of this area.

 

The survey comprises of the following:

 

1.       Field scan of the entire surface area and the river bed within the project area;

2.       Auger hole testing programme consisting of a minimum of 60 auger hole tests placed at regular intervals; and

3.       A minimum of 10 test pit excavations measuring 2 by 2m to verify the soil stratigraphy and potential for cultural/archaeological deposits.

 

Concrete paths and smaller areas of disturbances (sheds and temporary structures) should be excluded from the auger and test excavation programme.

 

In each of the above areas the methodology is to be implemented, according to the requirements of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) Criteria for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment.

 

Figure 1 accompanying this tender is indicative of the proposed works areas.  Maps showing the updated design of improvement works will be provided at the start of the field survey.

 

Archaeological field survey must be carried out by a qualified archaeologist who should observe the statutory requirement under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53) to obtain a Licence from the Authority before undertaking any field work.

 

3.         Recording Format

 

On site and post-excavation recording must comply with AMO standards and include the following essential data recorded on standardized forms:

 

·         records of areas scanned and results

·         auger records: depths / soil descriptions /  colour

·         test pit records: context sheets / depths / soil descriptions / colour

·         finds per context/quantities

·         detailed finds records and quantification

 

 

The following graphic data must be included:

 

·         1:1000 maps showing the areas of surface scan

·         1:1000 maps showing the locations of auger holes

·         1:1000 maps showing the locations of test pits

·         photographs of test pit sections and contexts as required

·         section drawings and any other drawings of contexts or details

·         artefact photos/drawings

 

4.         Reporting Requirements

 

A report containing the following elements must be submitted at the end of the field survey:

 

·         all the records described above

·         all the photos, maps and drawings described above

·         summaries of the results of the surface scan, auger testing and test pit    excavations

·         discussion and analysis of the findings

 

Up to 10 copies of the Draft Report must be submitted, in English, within 8 weeks of completion of the field survey.

 

Up to 10 copies of the Final Report in English are to be submitted as soon as all outstanding issues have been resolved with the Authorities, particularly the Antiquities and Monuments Office.  Reporting is to include a full electronic copy of the Final Report.