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The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 29) that four major cultural remains were found in a two-month archaeological excavation at the open ground in front of the Tai Fu Tai mansion in Yuen Long, New Territories. This excavation project was led by Dr Solomon Bard and was conducted in May and June this year.

Among the major findings, there are a threshold stone and wall foundations of a substantial structure, some 20 metres across, with walls going back beyond the present wall surrounding the estate. A spokesman for AMO noted that within this structure were bases of four columns, and layer upon layer of roof tiles testified to a collapsed roof. "Located opposite and parallel to Tai Fu Tai, with its threshold slightly off the centre, as 'fung shui' might dictate, this imposing structure must have formed at one time a fine counterbalance to Tai Fu Tai mansion," the spokesman said.

Some of the local people said there was a pond at the eastern side of the ground, and some of them even remembered fishing in it as children. The spokesman said a pond was really found in this project.

He said,"Although water is barely seen between large slabs of granite forming a floor of a ruin, the full extent of the pond was only revealed after tons of garbage was removed by a crane lorry working for a whole week. The handsome pond is now fully visible to the astonishment and delight of the locals who often come to look at it."

The finding of the pond, however, presents some interesting questions. Was it always merely a decorative feature of the estate, limited by the walls, eventually neglected and buried under the soil and garbage? Its imposing granite steps and an embankment suggest a more important function. It is tempting to speculate that originally the pond may have extended much further beyond the wall and perhaps linked with a large water course outside. Could it be that the steps were part of a landing area for visitors arriving in small boats?

A hole in the ground, overgrown with vegetation and barely visible, covered with a rusty grate, was revealed after excavation and clearance, as a fine well framed with a handsome eight-sided stone. It is believed that the well, while remaining a fine feature, is of a later date than the main mansion.

Moreover, the spokesman noted that a large open area between Tai Fu Tai and the newly discovered structure was found to be paved with firm gray mortar, not unlike the present-day village drying areas. A considerably later, red-mortar paving was uncovered in the eastern portion of the ground.

The spokesman said, "the findings, however, seem to suggest that Tai Fu Tai enjoyed a short period of splendour, perhaps from 1860s-1880s, during which the original owner and their immediate descendants enjoyed a life of luxury and wealth attended by a large household; the period which earned the mansion its name.

"A splendid pavilion stood some distance away facing the mansion. The estate had almost certainly extended beyond the present wall, long before the present road was built. The main building was used for residence and formal functions, while the pavilion opposite, of which only the foundations remain, for entertainment and recreation.

"Around the pavilion and within its walls, large quantity of ceramic wares, mainly later 19th and early 20th century, Chinese coins, and many small jars, generally regarded as opium containers, were uncovered. It would be reasonable to guess that a good deal of food, wine and opium was consumed under the roof of pavilion during its heyday!" said the spokesman.

The decline of Tai Fu Tai is still a myth, but even before the British lease of the New Territories, in 1898, the life at Tai Fu Tai had changed to a more village-life style, and the Man descendants, the owner of the mansion, then engaged in practical but still prosperous occupations, possibly developing some industries, like the soya-bean production, possibly in the annexe. The various village-type activities required a firm paving in front though some of this may have been present earlier.

The pavilion, now a luxury and probably suffering from neglect, was allowed to decay and was probably demolished, its masonry and floor tile reused elsewhere. The new lease, in 1898, restricted the Tai Fu Tai estate, the wall was erected and a new road outside laid. This splendid pavilion disappeared totally under the ground and even from the memory of the local people, until revealed by this archaeological excavation.

Now, the large open ground in front of the mansion remained empty, overgrown with vegetation. The AMO conceived an idea of landscaping it into an attractive setting worthy of the mansion. However, before doing this, it was thought prudent to conduct an archaeological research whether any important structures or features remain hidden under the ground. As a result, a two-month excavation was conducted in May and June.

"Tai Fu Tai is a gem of the New Territories. Having lost its lychee garden behind, the landscaping of the ground in front of Tai Fu Tai will be welcomed by everyone who had come to love and appreciate this wonderful mansion. Archaeology does not always have all the answers, and sometimes produces many questions. Why was the pavilion allowed to disappear? Why was the well built in front of the mansion? What was the function of the late red paving? What was the original extent of the Tai Fu Tai estate? What is the full story of the pond? These questions still await answers. However, it is believed what we have discovered -- the vanished pavilion, the pond, the ornate well, and other features -- when incorporated in the landscaping plans will greatly enhance the restored splendour of Tai Fu Tai," said the spokesman.

The Tai Fu Tai mansion, an imposing building in the traditional Chinese style, was reputedly built around 1865 for Man Chung-luen, a wealthy member of Man clan at Wing Ping Tsuen of San Tin in Yuen Long. "Tai Fu Tai" means residence of "Tai Fu". The honorific title of "Tai Fu" was bestowed by the Imperial Government, but it is uncertain whether for scholastic achievement or philanthropic activity.

The story of Man Chung-luen's wealth is still related locally -- that a place of hidden treasure of silver was revealed to him in a dream. It would have been desirable to learn more about Man and especially about details of his estate, but little useful information has been gained though there were student-volunteers to help collecting local stories.

In 1987, Tai Fu Tai was gazetted as a historic building. By that time it had suffered considerable damage and decay due to neglect. Skillfully repaired and restored, it was opened to public in 1988.Initially there was a lychee garden behind the mansion, but this had to be surrendered and allowed to be developed into a residential complex as part of the deal to protect Tai Fu Tai.

End/Friday, June 29, 2001

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