"Beauty of the Sea: Maritime Culture and Faces of Taiwan," an exhibition of archaeological artefacts, relics uncovered off the coast, and maritime-themed art works, is on display at the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (SSHM) in New Taipei City from Jan. 27 to June 20.
Jointly organized by the National Museum of History (NMH) and the SSHM, a total of 111 unearthed archaeological artefacts will be displayed, in addition to modern paintings, photography, pottery and artworks made out from marine debris, to highlight the close-knit relationship between humans and the ocean since days of old. It will also reflect the diverse ocean cultures and the many changing faces of the rich marine ecosystems.
The exhibition focuses particularly on environmental issues concerning the ocean. It is hoped that while showing valuable archaeological artefacts and various art works, the exhibition will also raise the public's awareness of the increasingly serious threats to marine environment and of proper actions to conserve the ocean habitats and ensure sustainable development.
"Beauty of the Sea: Maritime Culture and Faces of Taiwan" is open to the public from 9:30am to 5:00pm during the week. During the summer months, April 1 to end of October, it will extend the opening hours, from 9:30am to 6:00pm on weekdays, and from 9:30am to 7:00pm on weekends.
The SSHM is closed on the first Monday of each month, unless it is a public holiday, and on lunar New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Established in 2003, the SSHM is dedicated to research and display of the prehistoric Shihsanhang culture and the likely ancestors of the indigenous Ketagalan people. The museum is built on the excavation site, and the building itself was awarded the Taiwan Architecture Prize in 2002.