Selected Pieces of the New Collections of the National Museum of Prehistory
The exhibition “Selected Pieces of the New Collections of the National Museum of Prehistory” presents ethnology, archaeological and natural history objects which have recently become the museum’s new collections. In recent years the National Museum of Prehistory obtains several important collections from excavation programs in Jiou-Siang-Lan Site , as well as other places, and objects donated by private collectors. Selected Pieces of the New Collections of the National Museum of Prehistory exhibits the most exquisite pieces of these newly acquired objects in order to delight the audiences.
Metal Casting Technique
The emergence of metal ware enabled the prehistoric life to enter into a different age Conveniences brought forth by these tools have not only fulfilled basic necessities in daily life, in terms of domestication, but also added new elements to art forms , in terms of crafts. Tools and remains , left from the manufacturing process are focal evidence for archaeologists to understand further the crafting techniques of prehistoric men. Molds made of sandstone which were found at the Jiou-Siang-Lan Site, may have been used to cast bells, earrings and other metal decorative items. It is suggested that the molds were highly possible for bronze- ware construction.
Lingling-O Earring
A typical style of earrings mainly found in the Southeast Asian. Although the same type of earrings was also excavated in Lanyu, it is the first excavation record ever found in Taiwan, which implies the interactions amongst the prehistoric peoples on the island and Southeast Asians.
Exquisite Jade Making Tools
The Ping-Lin Site at Wanrong, Hualien County, is considered an important jade-ware fabrication site in prehistoric Taiwan. A lot of jade waste and crafting tools, weapons or hunting spearheads, harvesting or cutting stone knifes were discovered there, demonstrating not only high levels of crafting art of the prehistoric man but also the beauty of jade stone.
Quartz Schist Sawing
Scholars have previously experimented with various ways of jade cutting method and possible tools used. From the remains excavated from the site, quartzite schist was believed to be the tool for cutting jade as tests have proven. The discovered stone saw has a length of 6cm perpendicular to the blade edge, which means the depth cut into the jade at least 5cm deep. Prehistoric jade cutting method known as saw and break , enable the cutting of jade as thick as 10cm to be produce easily as it is cut on both sides flowing by a a breaking off by bear hands.
Prehistoric Fishing Utensils
Prehistoric fishhooks are similar to current day fishing gear. The fishhooks discovered at the Jiou-Siang-Lan Site were fashioned from deer antlers and animal bones into single hook and joined-hook types. Other than variation in forms, they may have been used differently or for different types of catch. For example, catching bonitos versus octopi requires different hooks. Only fragments of a complete fishhook have been excavated and portions may have yet to be discovered or identified.
Plant and Animal Remains
Excavated ecofacts enable us to learn more about animals and plants of the past and to understand further about prehistoric ecology. Bark, plant seeds, and rice remains along with canine burials and fish scales are ecofacts included in this exhibition. The discovery of rice grains indicates the possibility of rice planting as early as 4000-5000 B.P. Canine burials suggest close relationship between canine and men in human society thousands of years ago.
Delicate Imprint Patterns on Potteries
Significant potteries discovered at the Jiou-Siang-Lan Site’s archeological excavation in the southern part of Taidong County produce similar ceramic findings as the Gui-Shan Site in Checheng Township, in Pingtung County. This is the first time on Taiwan’s archeological record of finding snake curled-shaped decoration attached on ceramic potteries, which is reminiscent of Paiwan Tribe’s snake motif. Hissing snake pattern or animal and human facial motif elegantly imprinted onto the earthenware surface indicates prehistoric man’s value of these ceramic vessels.
Prehistoric Smoking Pipe
According to the forms of the bowls of these smoking utensils, the Amis people used ceramic smoking pipes of various shaped bowls, which are attached to bamboo straws. The different forms of these three smoking pipes represent the leisure moments in Amis people’s daily life.