TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Culture (MOC, 文化部) announced on Tuesday (Oct. 14) that it has elevated the Heping Island B Archaeological Site (和平島B考古遺址) to a national archaeological site, marking it as Taiwan's 13th such designation. This site, located at the entrance of Keelung Harbor (基隆港), showcases a rich tapestry of cultural intersections from the late Neolithic to the Iron Age and the Spanish colonial period.
The ministry highlighted the site's diverse cultural layers, which include prehistoric settlements, burial grounds, and iron smelting remains. These findings emphasize the site's historical significance and its role as a core settlement area in northern Taiwan. Archaeological evidence indicates that late Neolithic residents left traces of their lives there, while the site transformed into a burial ground during the late Iron Age, revealing cultural features linked to the indigenous Basay people (巴賽人).
Chen Kwang-tsu (陳光祖), a review committee member of MOC, noted the archaeological richness of the Todos los Santos (諸聖教堂), built by the Spanish, despite its small size. Chen also mentioned the need for further investigation of the A and C archaeological sites on Heping Island, and the potential expansion of the designated area for Heping Island B. Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture plans to collaborate with the Keelung City Government to promote the site's protection, management, and educational outreach, aiming to boost cultural tourism.
