New Taipei City Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology Introduction
The Shisanhang Museum of Archaeology, located in Bali, is Taiwan's first archaeological museum. It was built to protect the national secondary historic site, the Shisanhang archaeological site. In 1955, an Air Force plane flying over Bali encountered a magnetic anomaly on its compass, leading to the discovery of the Shisanhang site. Subsequently, geologists and archaeologists came to survey the area and found evidence that it was a prehistoric site, which resulted in the establishment of this archaeological museum. The Shisanhang culture belongs to the Iron Age of northern Taiwan and is currently the only known prehistoric community in Taiwan with iron smelting technology. It is not only the only archaeological museum in northern Taiwan but also the first museum in New Taipei City to be certified as an environmental education site. The museum consists of three groups of different architectural forms, which create a complete concept representing the imagery of mountains and sea, past and present, constructed with authentic materials such as exposed concrete, sandstone, and weathered metal panels to embody these ideas. The museum features permanent exhibitions of important artifacts excavated from the site, a special exhibition hall, and an archaeological learning experience room that provides detailed information about the Shisanhang culture, as well as the Yuanshan culture and other historical relics and backgrounds of Taiwan. Over a thousand years ago, the residents on the left bank of the Tamsui River lived in stilt houses and used pottery with human faces. It is said that the indigenous people known as the cannibals would engage in foraging activities, which were later gradually replaced by ritual objects. Their daily diet consisted of fish, shrimp, and shellfish from the sea. Their lifestyle is not something we can easily imagine today, but the Shisanhang Museum offers a glimpse into their lives. The museum enriches visitors’ understanding of the Shisanhang culture through engaging presentations, revealing what life was like for the Shisanhang people a thousand years ago. Additionally, it regularly hosts special exhibitions, sometimes introducing the developmental history of the Tamsui River, and at other times featuring archaeological explorations infused with scientific educational significance, allowing visitors to gain a wealth of knowledge while enjoying their experience, sparking children's interest in history.
