Archaeological studies in Hong Kong first began in the 1920s, and have uncovered ancient artifacts and other evidence of human activities at numerous coastal sites mostly located on outlying islands. These significant finds testify to events which span more than 6,000 years.

During the formative years, archaeological investigations were mainly undertaken by a small group of keen amateurs, namely C. Heanley (1877-1970), J. Shellshear (1885-1958), Fr. D. Finn (1886-1936), W. Schofield (1888-1968) and K.C. Chen (born 1890) all working individually. It was not until the mid-1950s that an increasing number of well-organized archaeological work was taken place with the inception of the University Archaeological Team which was later become the present Hong Kong Archaeological Society. The 1970s witnessed a growing support and involvement of the Government in heritage conservation, leading ultimately to the drafting and implementation of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance which forbids unlicensed archaeological excavations. The Government established the Antiquities and Monuments Office in 1976 to enforce the provision of the Ordinance to preserve, amongst other things, archaeological heritage in Hong Kong. Two government-commissioned territorial-wide archaeological surveys were conducted in 1983-85 and 1997-98 respectively to assess the potential value of all identified archaeological sites in Hong Kong and to record new ones. With the engagement of more professionally trained archaeologists, the Government began to play a more active role in preservation and rescue of archaeological heritage, which is exemplified by the rescue excavations at Yung Long (1992-93), Tung Wan Tsai North (1997) and Sha Ha (2001-02).

Archaeological sites are often threatened by land development and urban expansion of various kinds such as housing, playground and road construction. In keeping with worldwide practice, the Antiquities and Monuments Office favours conservation of archaeological sites. Nevertheless, if preservation is impracticable to carry out, the Office permits a rescue excavation and publishes record as a compromise alternative.

The Office is actively involved in subject of Environmental Impact Assessments initiated in the planning of infrastructure projects and development proposals, and in particular extensive investigations are carried out as a part of Cultural Heritage Impact Assessments to devise mitigation measures to protect the invaluable cultural heritage of Hong Kong. More than 50 archaeological surveys and excavations were carried out from April 2000 to October 2002 in areas affected by infrastructure projects and sites of archaeological potential. Major rescue excavation projects and important archaeological discoveries are illustrated in the section of Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Hong Kong .

To cope with the drastic increase of rescue projects, the assistance of local and overseas archaeological institutions are invited to assist in major rescue operations. These excavations have yielded important data and significant finds which enable a better understanding of the history and pre-history of Hong Kong.

Application to obtain a Licence to Excavate and Search for Antiquities