Prehistoric Hong Kong

The history of the southern region (which may possibly include Hong Kong) is reckoned to have been first recorded in 214 BC with Qin Shi Huang conquering the Baiyue and creating the Jiaozhou province.

Archaeology evidence suggests the earliest human settlement was in the Wong Tei Tung area dating back to 38,000 BC.

[1] Evidence of an Upper Paleolithic settlement in Hong Kong was found at Wong Tei Tung in Sham Chung beside the Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung Peninsula.

[2] It is believed that the Three Fathom Cove was a river valley during that period and ancient people collected stone tools from the lithic manufacturing site in Wong Tei Tung to the settlement in near Tolo Harbour and Mirs Bay.

The second phase was around 6500–6000 BP when white and painted chalkware were present along with ground adzes and axes along with flaked points.

The third phase began around 6000–5000 BP, identified by white chalkware with incisions and shouldered stone implements.

Excavated Neolithic artefacts suggest a difference from northern Chinese Stone-Age cultures, including the Longshan.

[5] According to the historical records written during the Han dynasty, the Yue people (who originated in the Southern region of the current China along the Pearl River) were mainly barbarians with little or no civilisation.