1 EXHIBITION
The National Museum of Prehistory Southern Taiwan Science Park Branch is the first archaeology-centered museum established in a Science Park. At the first stop of the exhibition, we present to you the 5000 years of history since the Neolithic Era and the historical sites at the Southern Taiwan Science Park, demonstrating their prominence and uniqueness in Taiwan’s archeological research.
More than 200 precious representative relics from the eleven phases under the six main archaeological cultures are displayed chronologically. They include shell knives as thin as paper, stone axes with smooth and shiny surfaces, plain but interesting-looking ceramic figures, delicately-sculpted knife handles made from deer horns, dice made from bones, and more.
Prehistorical cultures are displayed with large projected animations and models recreating scenes of life under different cultures in the exhibition hall. Instead of reading these prehistorical cultures in textbooks or through media, you can now observe them closely and feel them directly.
Excavation and preservation of sites have not only affected the landforms of the Southern Taiwan Science Park, but also embody the commitment of different institutions and staff members. A summary of archeological work done during the past two decades is also displayed at a corner of the exhibition hall.
2 EXHIBITION
Walking through the 5000-year history presented in the Exhibition Hall 1, we are now arriving at the second exhibition hall. We are going to take a glimpse at the material culture, social culture, and spiritual culture of prehistorical humans through seven different themes: fishery, agriculture, hunting, livestock, home, utensils and decorations.
Over 100 objects discovered during archaeological excavation are displayed in different areas according to their various features and functions, as well as the images of prehistorical life they present, which are constructed through archeological studies. Stepping into the exhibition hall, you can not only observe prehistorical life from different aspects, but also look at utensils and tools with different functions left by our creative ancestors.
How did our ancestors acquire food every day in an environment that is abundant in resources but full of uncertainty? How did they make all kinds of objects and tools necessary for daily life? What did interactions between individuals and groups at that time suggest, and how should we analyze them?
These questions will all be answered after you finish the tour in the second exhibition hall.
3 EXHIBITION
We can look back to the life of prehistorical residents, who used to live on this land, through relics displayed in Exhibition Halls 1 and 2. However, have you ever wondered how archaeologists reconstruct the life of prehistorical humans from these fragmented and tiny pieces of relics?
Observation of strata and cultural layers enables archaeologists to figure out the chronological order in a site. Recognition of planar features can be used to reconstruct the configuration of sites.. Analysis of remains of animals and plants provides information on the environment at that time. Examination of artifacts made from ceramic, stone, metal, and glass reveals prehistorical humans’ craftsmanship and trading network at that time. Studies on burial reveal information on prehistorical humans’ physical constitution, food habits, diseases, customs, and more.
Archeological studies differentiate themselves from historical studies by applying modern analytical technologies to research on excavated relics. In the third exhibition hall, we introduce you to the technologies applied to archaeology research and results obtained through archaeological studies by looking at boundary walls and features brought back from sites, animal bones, plant seeds, facial reconstruction of ancient human skeletons, and more.
Museum's Secret Chamber
As the function of a museum has been changed from a private treasure house to a facility to store public and historic memories, the meaning of artifacts has also been transformed from personal collections into preservation and education for cultural heritages.
In this exhibition hall, we display work involving the preservation and maintenance of archaeological artifacts in the museum, which is seldom disclosed to the public. We also explain how human skeletons and artifacts were handled and preserved from the excavation sites to the museum storeroom.