Government urged to keep medieval well that may be part of ancient Silk Road
A proposal to move a medieval well that lies in the way of the Sha Tin-Central railway might destroy a link to the ancient Silk Road, lawmakers said yesterday.
A proposal to move a medieval well that lies in the way of the Sha Tin-Central railway might destroy a link to the ancient Silk Road, lawmakers said yesterday.
They urged the government to check whether the well, dating to the Song (960-1279) or Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, formed part of the Silk Road maritime route, for which the central government is seeking UN world heritage status.
"The relics tell Hong Kong's role in the maritime trade. I think the government should report the finds to the mainland authorities as they are part of national heritage," said lawmaker Chan Yuen-han, of the Federation of Trade Unions.
Speaking at a meeting of the Legislative Council development panel yesterday, Chan called for the government to seek new proposals under which the well could be preserved where it lies with minimal delays to the railway construction.
The well is one of the most valuable finds among an extensive trove of relics unearthed at the construction site of the To Kwa Wan MTR station.
Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po hinted last week that the government would take the cheapest option and move the well. This would cost HK$10 million and avoid further delay to the rail link, currently due to open in 2018.