The table below summarizes a database of all C14 dates from archaeological contexts in Hong Kong. Some dates obtained after 1996 are still being studied or prepared for publication, and are not included. See notes after the table on certain problem samples; see the table of dates from geological contexts for samples recovered during archaeological excavation from non- or pre-cultural layers.

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C14 dates from Archaeological Sites
Site Sample Collected Landform Result +/- Lab No. Calibrated Cultural Assoc. Comment/Note
Chung Hom Wan charcoal 1975 stream deposits 4570 130 I-8827 3660-2625 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Deep Bay wood of dragon boat 1988 --- 110 10 GC-88016 --- modern credible 1
Fu Tei, CLK charcoal 1991 plateau 6840 70 Beta-60793 5807-5582 B.C. Middle Neolithic unreliable 2
Fu Tei, CLK charcoal 1990 plateau 5050 100 Beta-42857 4100-3655 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Fu Tei, CLK charcoal 1990 plateau 4830 160 Beta-42858 3890-3355 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Fu Tei, CLK charcoal 1991 plateau 6830 60 Beta-63460 5766-5586 B.C. Middle Neolithic unreliable 2
Fu Tei, CLK charcoal 1991 plateau 5200 60 Beta-63461 4221-3817 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Fu Tei Wan, CLK charcoal 1982 on the beach 1280 70 Har-4994 610-880 A.D. Early Historical credible
Ha Law Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 hillslope 620 50 Beta-42855 1265-1405 AD Historical credible
Ha Law Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 hillslope 720 60 Beta-42856 1225-1340 AD Historical credible
Hai Dei Wan, Lantau shell 1978 sand bank/low terrace 1980 70 Har-2268 165BC-210AD Early Historical unreliable 3
Hai Dei Wan, Lantau charcoal 1979 sand bank/low terrace 3200 160 ANU-2223 1850-1120 BC Bronze Age or Late Neol credible
Hai Dei Wan, Lantau charcoal 1978 sand bank/low terrace 3360 80 Har-3589 1910-1435 BC Bronze Age or Late Neol credible
Hai Dei Wan, Lantau charcoal 1978 sand bank/low terrace 5100 100 Har-2522 4125-3665 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung charcoal 1994 hill top 6100 60 Beta-82701 5240-4840 B.C. Early Neolithic? credible 5
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung charcoal 1994 hill top 5980 50 Beta-78216 4940-4750 B.C. Early Neolithic? credible 5
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung charcoal 1994 hill slope 80 60 Beta-70221 1790-1950 A.D. Han/modern credible 6
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung charcoal 1994 hill slope 140 50 Beta-70223 1660-1950 A.D. Tang/modern 7 credible
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung charcoal 1994 hill slope 3860 110 Beta-70222 2590-1970 B.C. Late Neolithic credible
Kau Sat Wan, Lantau charcoal 1993 sand bar 3560 80 Beta-63578 2133-1682 B.C. Late Neolithic credible
Kau Sat Wan, Lantau charcoal 1993 sand bar 2220 80 Beta-63579 403-45 B.C. Late Neolithic ? 4
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 hillslope above beach 4610 90 Beta-60795 3628-3039 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 hillslope above beach 0 0 Beta-46867 post-1944 Historical credible 8
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 hillslope above beach 4410 80 Beta-45150 3465-2885 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1990 hillslope above beach 4780 60 OxA-5923 3698-3371 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 low terrace behind beach 3020 70 Beta-46868 1420-1105 BC Bronze Age credible
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 low terrace behind beach 2840 60 Beta-45149 1240-830 BC Bronze Age credible
Kwo Lo Wan, CLK charcoal 1991 low terrace behind beach 3220 80 Beta-60794 1677-1311 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Lo So Shing, Lamma shell 1976 sand bank 1800 70 Har-3587 40-355 AD Early Historical unreliable 3
Lo So Shing, Lamma shell 1976 sand bank 1900 70 Har-2075 155BC-210AD Early Historical unreliable 3
Lo So Shing, Lamma shell 1976 sand bank 1390 80 I-9924 455-855 AD Early Historical credible
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 low hill slope 4020 110 Beta-40990 2885-2310 BC Late Neolithic credible
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 sandbank 2680 90 Beta-40993 1095-615 BC Bronze Age credible
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 low hill slope 4090 100 Beta-40991 2920-2400 BC Late Neolithic credible
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 sandbank 340 80 Beta-40992 1405-1795 AD Bronze Age unreliable
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan plant material (?) 1990 hillslope 650 80 Beta-40996 1230-1415 AD Historical credible 9
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 sandbank 1030 60 Beta-40995 885-1155 AD Historical credible
Lung Kwu Sheung Tan charcoal 1990 sandbank 210 70 Beta-40994 modern Historical credible
Ma Wan Chung, Tung Chung charcoal 1993 stream bank ? 1270 70 Beta-60311 640-890 A.D. Tang credible
Penny's Bay, Lantau wood 1992 stream deposit 430 50 Beta-52792 1410-1624 A.D. Ming credible
Penny's Bay, Lantau wood 1992 stream deposit 750 50 Beta-52253 1205-1290 A.D. Sung credible
Penny's Bay, Lantau wooden pole 1992 stream deposit 1030 60 Beta-52794 890-1157 A.D. Sung/Ming credible
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 2960 90 Beta-15959 1420-885 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 3060 110 Beta-15957 1575-935 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 3680 70 Har-4699 2310-1890 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 3730 70 Har-4700 2395-1955 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 3740 80 Har-4697 2525-1890 Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1980s sand bank/low terrace 3780 70 Har-4698 2520-2000 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1984 sand bank/low terrace 5610 80 Har-6812 4700-4140 BC Late Neolithic unreliable 11
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1985 sandbank 3370 70 Har-8816 1875-1560 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10,12
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1985 sandbank 3370 80 Har-8817 1935-1440 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10, 13
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1985 sandbank 3370 70 Har-8752 1875-1560 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau shell 1985 sandbank 3350 60 Har-8753 1865-1545 BC Late Neolithic problematic 10
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1985 sand bank/low terrace 6260 130 Har-6811 5510-4925 BC Late Neolithic unreliable 11
Po Yue Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1984 sand bank/low terrace 6100 160 ARL-146 5315-4590 BC Late Neolithic unreliable 11
Pui O, Lantau charcoal 1984 sand bank 1610 70 Beta-13224 240-585 AD Early Historical credible
Sai Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1978 ridgetop 7180 600 LY-4071 --- Middle Neolithic unreliable 14
Sai Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1978 ridgetop 5560 400 LY-4070 --- Middle Neolithic credible 15
Sai Wan, Cheung Chau pottery 1978 ridgetop 5980 400 LY-4069 --- Middle Neolithic credible 16
Sai Wan, Cheung Chau charcoal 1977 ridgetop 4220 100 Har-6 3155-2560 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charcoal 1994 sandbar 2420 60 Beta-78217 780-380 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charred fish bone 1994 sandbar 2940 50 Beta-81206 1370-980 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charcoal 1988 sandbank 1540 60 Beta-30962 360-605 AD Early Historical credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charcoal 1988 sandbank 1260 70 Beta-30963 615-885 AD Early Historical credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charcoal 1988 sandbank 2835 65 Beta-31475 1240-830 BC Bronze Age credible
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charred fish bone 1994 sandbar 2820 360 OxA-5850 --- Bronze Age credible 17
Sha Po Tsuen, Lamma charred fish bone 1994 sandbar 3060 120 OxA-5849 1598-937 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Sha Tsui, High Island wood 1974 seabed 660 80 Har-867 1220-1430 AD Sung or Ming credible
Sham Wan, Lamma charcoal specks 1970s sandbank -165 0 R-4585/3 modern Late Neolithic unreliable
Sham Wan, Lamma human bone 1970s sandbank -165 0 R-4585/5(A) modern Middle Neolithic unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma fish bone 1970s sandbank -280 0 I-9927 modern Bronze Age unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma fish bone 1970s sandbank -280 0 I-9926 modern Bronze Age unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma charcoal 1970s sandbank 4000 300 R-4585/1 3350-1870 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Sham Wan, Lamma fish bone 1970s sandbank -280 0 I-9925 modern Bronze Age unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma charcoal specks 1970s sandbank -315 115 ANU-1360 modern Ching unreliable
Sham Wan, Lamma bone 1970s sandbank 330 100 I-10051 1350-1950 AD Bronze Age unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma human bone 1970s sandbank 799 373 R-4585/5(B) --- Middle Neolithic unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma charcoal specks 1970s sandbank 866 194 R-4585/4 860-1400 AD Late Neol. or Bronze Age unreliable
Sham Wan, Lamma shell 1970s sandbank 3830 95 I-10058 2630-1990 BC sterile layer abutting Late Neol credible
Sham Wan, Lamma shell 1970s sandbank 1210 90 I-10052 610-1020 AD Early Historical (Tang) credible
Sham Wan, Lamma fish bone 1970s sandbank 2110 95 I-10050 395 BC-45AD sterile layer abutting Late Neol unreliable 18
Sham Wan, Lamma shell 1970s sandbank 2485 85 I-9554 810-395 BC Bronze Age credible
Sham Wan, Lamma charcoal specks 1970s sandbank 2500 600 R-4585/1 --- Middle Neolithic credible
Sham Wan, Lamma shell 1970s sandbank 3110 95 I-10056 1660-1115 BC sterile layer abutting Late Neol credible
Sham Wan, Lamma shell 1970s sandbank 3740 95 I-10057 2525-1890 BC sterile layer abutting Late Neol credible
Sham Wan Tsuen, CLK carbonaceous soil 1991 sandbank 1250 150 Har-5521 575-1035 AD Early Historical credible
Sham Wan Tsuen, CLK pottery 1970s sandbank 5760 160 Har-6613 5035-4405 BC Late Neolithic unreliable 11
Shek Kok Tsui charcoal 1970s sand bank 1370 100 unknown 460-870 AD Early Historical credible
Shek Pik, Lantau shell 1980s sandbank 1700 80 ANU-2225A 55-570 AD Early Historical credible
Shek Pik, Lantau charcoal 1988 sand bar 4740 90 Beta-33229 3770-3340 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Shek Pik, Lantau shell 1980s sandbank 1930 90 ANU-2225B 165BC-240AD Early Historical unreliable 3
Shek Pik, Lantau charcoal 1980s sand bar 5060 150 GaK-15944 4130-3640 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Shek Pik, Lantau charcoal 1980s sandbank 3270 90 ANU-2222 1850-1380 BC Late Neolithic ? credible
Shek Pik, Lantau charcoal 1980s sandbank 1320 180 ANU-2226 390-1035 AD Early Historical credible
Tai Kwai Wan shell 1980s sandbank 1780 100 Har-2603 15-440 AD Early Historical credible
Tai Kwai Wan charcoal 1980s sandbank 1250 80 Har-2611 600-910 AD Early Historical credible
Tai Long, Lantau pottery 1980s sandbank 2810 90 Har-5470 1255-795 BC Bronze Age credible
Tai Long, Lantau charcoal 1980s sandbank 1655 55 unknown 230-570 AD Early Historical credible
Tai Long, Lantau shell 1980s sandbank 400 80 Har-3588 1350-1655 AD Bronze Age unreliable
Tai Wan, Lamma charcoal 1990 sand bar 3670 80 Beta-42860 2300-1830 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Tung Kwu pottery 1976 sand bank 7157 145 LY-4151 6530-5505 BC Late Neolithic unreliable 11, 19
Tung Kwu pottery 1976 sand bank 9660 186 LY-4152 --- Late Neolithic unreliable 11,20
Tung Kwu pottery 1980s sandbank 5800 500 ARL-239 --- Late Neolithic unreliable 11
Tung Wan Tsai charcoal 1994 sandbar 0 0 WK-???? ca 1950 A.D. Late Bronze Age unreliable 21
Tung Wan Tsai shell 1994 sandbar 3630 60 WK-3487 1701-1424 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Tung Wan Tsai shell 1994 sandbar 3580 70 WK-3486 1677-1365 B.C. Bronze Age credible
Tung Wan Tsai shell 1994 sandbar 3210 40 WK-3482 1164-927 B.C. Late Bronze Age credible
Tung Wan Tsai shell 1994 sandbar 2430 40 WK-3481 192BC-3AD Han credible
Tung Wan Tsai shell 1994 sandbar 2420 40 WK-3483 181BC-11AD Han credible
Yi Long, Lantau charcoal 1980s sandbank 1550 120 Har-2396 240-620 AD Early Historical credible
Yi Long, Lantau charcoal 1980s sandbank 1460 90 Har-2074 400-755 AD Early Historical credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1984 low terrace 3990 60 Har-8564 2780-2325 BC Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1984 low terrace 4180 80 Har-8565 3045-2430 BC Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1984 low terrace 4520 130 Har-8562 3645-2900 BC Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sandbar 4030 70 Beta-54624 2865-2400 BC Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sandbar 4170 80 Beta-54625 3035-2425 BC Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sandbar 5230 100 Beta-54626 4370-3790 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sandbar 5450 150 Beta-54627 4550-3895 BC Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sand bar 4700 120 Beta-60313 3775-3100 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sand bar 3970 90 Beta-60312 2867-2205 B.C. Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1992 sand bar 5490 220 Beta-60315 4838-3816 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1993 sand bar 4880 170 Beta-62188 4034-3199 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1993 sand bar 3980 60 Beta-62219 2856-2340 B.C. Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1993 sand bar 3810 70 Beta-62218 2470-2039 B.C. Late Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1993 sand bar 3900 80 Beta-62190 2590-2039 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible
Yung Long, Deep Bay charcoal 1993 sand bar 4710 130 Beta-62189 3780-3047 B.C. Middle Neolithic credible

Notes

1. The calibrated age falls within 1696-1735 and 1812-1822 and 1910-1920; contamination from termites possible; painted surface avoided during sample taking; age of wood rather than of artifact.

2. Far too old for Middle Neolithic; this sample was a split of Beta-60793; apparently the charcoal is from the residual soil which was cut by the posthole

3. Shells may have been collected from existing beach and tidal mudflat deposits for lime production, thus giving an age older than the lime kilns and cultural deposit.

4. Date does not correspond to the cultural phases present; may be a mixture of charcoal bits from Tang and Late Neolithic occupations.

5. The site has no pottery and the dates are earlier than any other Neolithic site in Hong Kong.

6. The firepit which yielded the sample is shown to be recent, not associated with the Han material found all around.

7. The firepit which yielded the sample is shown to be recent, not associated with the Tang bowl found nearby.

8. Although estimated to be first or early second mill. AD, the date is 100.8% of modern +/- 0.6; thus later than 1944 AD (atom bomb testing). Possibility of intrusion is low, since the charcoal deposit on the floor of the oven should represent its last firing.

9. Date falls mid-way between the estimate for the pot (Ching) and the covering bowl (Tang) ! The sample could not identified as to whether plant or insect; C14 date suggests that it is the original content (possibly grain) of the burial jar.

10. Three different series of shells from the same context at this site gave different result clusters; probably due to varying degrees of exchange with ground water, perhaps also differences in lab pretreatments; still not satisfactorily explained.

11. Carbon from the original clay may be mixed with cultural carbon; date appears much older than the pottery.

12. Sample was the fraction removed in the pretreatment of HAR-8752.

13. Sample was the fraction removed in the pretreatment of HAR-8753.

14. Possibly close to the age of the original clay from which the pot was made. This date is on the carbon released at 400 degrees C.

15. This date is on the carbon released at 300 degrees C.

16. This date is for the carbon released at 200 degrees C.

17. Large margin of error renders the date too broad to be of any use.

18. Probable exchange with ground water.

19. Probably closer to real age than the high temperature fraction; old carbon from original clay mixed with cultural carbon; lab attempted to isolate cultural carbon by differential firing of the sample; this date is on the lower temperature fraction.

20. This was the higher temperature fraction from the same sample as in note 19.

21. Very small piece of charcoal; may have been translocated down the profile.

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