Digging up Secrets of the Past

I refer to the article dated 18/1/10 in The Straits Times. The article reports mainly the archaeological finds at a torn-up carpork between City Hall and the old Supreme Court. Over the past month, full-time archaeologist Lim Chen Sian, together with the help of 10 os so volunteers, has meticulously investigated the earth for acient artefacts that might give us further insights as to how our ancestors lived traded and worked. Among their numerous finds are military helmets and gas masks from World War II, pieces of earthenware dating back to the 13th century, and Song Dynasty coins from more than 1000 years ago!

These finds were more evidence that Singapore was an active commercial centre, and not the backward fishing village most people think it was when Sir Stamford Raffles founded thr city in the 19th century. Only about 15 digs have been carried out since 1984. One of the digs has uncovered artefacts dating beck to the 13th century, such as Yuan Dynasty vases, Indian glass beads and ceramic figurines.

I think that the finds were a breakthrough for Singapore's archaeology as archaelogy remains a relatively underdeveloped discipline in Singapore because of the few archaeological sites in the island. I hope that this will change as I have quite an interest in history and archaeology and hope to join the ranks of thoses volunteers who have contributed much to the digs.

Thanks for reading and goodbye!

P.S. Feel free to comment!
P.P.S. Here's a link to the original article: www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_478764.html