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SECTION
6 HERITAGE FUNCTIONS CAPITAL STOCK
| 6.1 |
Introduction
and Definition |
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| 6.1.1.1
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In
this section the natural capital stock of
the cultural heritage resource is addressed.
Heritage functions may be defined as those
sites which contain archaeological, historical,
cultural or religious value. The approach
in this section has been to identify and
distinguish between the baseline resources
of archaeological significance (taken here
to be buried or standing remains of human
activity, ruins and artefacts - see Section
6.2.1 below) and those of the built heritage
which include (principally intact) historic
buildings, structures and monuments of cultural,
architectural or religious significance.
Having identified these resources, the examination
of impacts upon them and the sustainability
of the capital stock is undertaken collectively
since many of the pressures upon the resources
are common to all aspects of the heritage
functions capital stock.
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| 6.1.1.2 |
Two
specific heritage indicators for the study
are relevant to this section; the number of
recorded archaeological sites and the number
of recorded cultural and heritage sites. The
quantity and quality of these recorded sites
are discussed in the review of the baseline
capital stock. |
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| 6.1.1.3
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Although
the source of heritage functions capital stock
is essentially anthropogenic (rather than
natural per se), the resource may be treated
in the context of natural capital stock due
to the significant linkages between heritage
and natural resources capital stock (eg land
use and land supply). Heritage functions also
have clear linkages with other elements of
capital stock through their scientific, existence,
recreational and landscape values. Like other
natural and ecological resources, the heritage
resource has a finite stock of capital and
it has particular value in forming an irreplaceable
link between the past and future. Finally,
since heritage resources are originally man-made,
the concept of 'enhancement' of the resource
is less applicable than for other elements
of the capital stock, although in some cases,
the heritage capital stock may be enhanced
through conservation, excavation, research
and display. |
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| 6.2 |
Existing
Capital Stock and Trends |
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| 6.2.1 |
Archaeological
Resources and Antiquities |
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| Definitions
and Designations
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| 6.2.1.1
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For
the purposes of this review, antiquities
and archaeological resources may be collectively
defined as including buried or upstanding
relics of human activity, ancient in age,
with known or potential archaeological significance
or value. Archaeological relics, also called
artefacts, can be defined as materials and
objects, whether natural or man-made, which
ancient people used in the course of their
lives.
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| 6.2.1.2 |
The
Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap 53)
provides the legal basis for protecting and
preserving Hong Kong's heritage. All archaeological
relics in Hong Kong are considered property
of the Government under the Ordinance and
the Antiquities Authority is empowered to
regulate the search and excavation of all
such relics through a system of licensing.
The most important sites are known as Declared
Monuments, and these are defined under the
Ordinance as any feature, structure, building
and artefact which the Antiquities Authority
(the Secretary for Home Affairs) considers
important because of its historical, archaeological
or palaeontological significance. Declared
Monuments can therefore take the form of archaeological
sites or cultural and historical sites (see
later in this section). |
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| 6.2.1.3
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Archaeological
sites in Hong Kong include ancient architecture,
kilns, hearths, rock carvings, farm lands,
shell or refuse mounds and foot prints of
ancient human beings. The archaeological finds
which allow insight into the lives of Hong
Kong's ancient inhabitants are mainly preserved
in coastal deposits. This pattern of coastal
settlement points to a strong maritime orientation
and an economy geared to the exploitation
of marine resources. However, evidence of
some inland settlement, although limited,
is also present. |
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| 6.2.1.4 |
The
archaeological resources in the SAR have
been classified for the study according
to data made available by the Antiquities
and Monuments Office (AMO). They comprise:
- Seventeen
out of the total of 67 Declared Monuments
in Hong Kong. These sites, which comprise
a combination of ancient buildings and
structures and archaeological features,
are illustrated in Figure
6.2a. A listing of all the declared
monuments recorded by the Antiquities
and Monuments Office (AMO) is included
in Annex I;
- a
listing of 184 further archaeological
sites (see Figure
6.2a). These are known as Sites of
Specific Archaeological Interest (SSAI)
and are subject to administrative rather
than statutory control making them more
difficult to protect from development.
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| 6.2.1.5 |
In
addition, an extensive Hong Kong-wide survey
of archaeological resources which has recently
been undertaken (but not fully reported) is
expected to include the identification of
further archaeological sites which will augment
the list of known heritage resources in Hong
Kong. |
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