Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology, Archaeological museum in Bali District, Taiwan
The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology is an archaeological museum in Bali District within the New Taipei region, showcasing finds from a prehistoric Iron Age settlement. The collection includes ceramic vessels, metal tools, jewelry, and human remains discovered during excavations along the Tamsui River estuary.
The museum opened in 2003 after construction work in the 1950s accidentally uncovered graves and tools. Systematic excavations began in 1989 and revealed evidence of a community that lived and traded along the river mouth around 1800 years ago.
The name refers to thirteen trading houses that once stood near the coast and served as a reference point for the excavation site. Visitors can view reconstructed graves with skeletons in a crouched position, a burial form that reflects the community's belief in rebirth.
The building sits along the Tamsui River shore, about 20 minutes by bus from Guandu MRT station. The exhibition rooms are arranged across several levels and connected by ramps, making all areas accessible to wheelchair users.
The site belongs to only two prehistoric locations in Taiwan where evidence of iron smelting has been confirmed. Some of the displayed tools show traces of repairs, suggesting that metal was a precious material in this community.
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