In the theme of the 60th Jubilee of the RAS HK Branch, Mr William Meacham has been invited to present a review of the last 60 years of archaeology in Hong Kong. The talk will describe the great expansion of our knowledge of Hong Kong prehistory and early history, resulting in a well-documented chronological sequence of human occupation dating back to 5000 BC. It will also touch on the evolution of government policy and how it has affected the development of local archaeology.

Everyone attending the talk will receive a copy of Mr Meacham's recent ebook on CD “40 Years An Archaeologist in Hong Kong.” Its 1,800 pages contain all his major archaeological writings, with many unpublished site reports submitted to the Government, plus major articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

The Speaker

William Meacham is an archaeologist specializing in Hong Kong and the adjacent regions. He has written or edited 10 books on archaeology and published 51 articles on various aspects of Hong Kong, South China and Southeast Asia archaeology.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Meacham was educated at Tulane University in New Orleans, the Sorbonne in Paris and the Gregorian University of Rome. He has lived in Hong Kong since 1970, holding positions previously at the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion and Culture. He was Editor of the Hong Kong Archaeological Society 1973-85 and Chairman 1985-96. From 1980 to 2012 he was Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre of Asian Studies, HKU. Meacham has directed 30 major archaeological excavations in Hong Kong and two in Macau.

Time: Reception desk opens at 6:30pm; talk starts at 7:00pm.

Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to reserve your place and pay at the door.