Archaeological fieldwork is a long-term, careful, and systematic process. From surveying and identifying site locations, planning test pits, and conducting layer-by-layer excavations, to cleaning, measuring, and documenting recovered artifacts, every step requires the support of different tools. 

Similar to the earliest efforts by the Japanese archaeologists, archaeological works in Taiwan had all evinced an inclination toward academic-oriented researches. However, following the introduction of the concept of salvage archaeology in the 1970’s and along with the initiation of major infrastructure projects on the island and later the promulgation of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in 1982, it became explicitly stipulated that environmental impact assessment has to be conducted prior to any major construction or development work so to prevent any possible damage to cultural and historical heritage sites. Hence, archaeologists in Taiwan began to take on contract archaeological projects that are commissioned either by the public or the private sector. These research projects are mission-oriented, and allow archaeology to serve the needs of modern society in Taiwan.

Historical archaeology is a branch of archaeology which emphasizes human activities at monuments or sites from the historical era. The biggest difference between prehistory archaeology and historical archaeology is that the later makes reference to and compare based on different types of literatures. In addition, historical archaeology is interdisciplinary that history, architecture and cultural anthropology all play an important role. On one hand, it is history-oriented, and emphasizes on using archaeological materials to rebuild real history and to fill the blanks in literal history. On the other hand, it is anthropology-oriented, and emphasizes that when Taiwan participates in the formation process of the modern world, it encounters many problems in social change and cultural adaptation. Among these problems, trade, exchange and flow of goods, and human migration are the main issues of interest.

Since the 16th century, Taiwan has experienced increasingly intensive contact with external populations, particularly the arrival of modern Han Chinese settlers and later Japanese colonial expansion. Although various documentary sources help us understand societies and cultures from the historical period, archaeological remains nevertheless constitute more direct evidence that is closer to the everyday lives of ordinary people. The material remains from these periods reveal significant cultural transformations over time.

This historical transition led to clear differences in material culture. Archaeological remains from the Qing period mainly reflect the traditional practices and preferences of immigrants from mainland China. In contrast, remains from the Japanese colonial period attest to the impact of modernization on the island. These finds include traces of colonial officials adjusting to life overseas, as well as aspects of everyday life brought by Japanese settlers—such as the mass-produced transfer-printed porcelain promoted during the Meiji era, and the introduction of tableware associated with Yōshoku (Japanese-style Western cuisine), influenced by European and American cultures.

Located in the subtropics, Taiwan has long faced challenges from infectious diseases—an issue encountered by foreign colonists immediately upon arrival. During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General’s Office (Taiwan Sōtokufu) faced similar public health concerns. In response, it actively promoted infrastructure development and medical reforms to improve sanitary conditions across the island. 

Beginning in 1895, the Governor-General’s Office established public hospitals, military hospitals, sanatoriums, specialized medical facilities, and institutions for specific patient groups, such as the Rakuseiin Sanatorium and the Yoseiin Sanatorium. Through these efforts, Taiwan’s modern medical system gradually took shape. 

At the same time, the government worked to raise public awareness of personal hygiene. Initiatives included adding oral hygiene education to school curricula, organizing health exhibitions and tooth-decay prevention days, and promoting health information through newspapers and advertisements. The widespread use of toothpowder became a tangible symbol of how hygiene concepts entered everyday life. 

Electrification was another important marker of modern living. Industrial artifacts recovered from archaeological contexts—such as porcelain electrical insulators and sockets—show how electricity gradually became part of the daily lives of ordinary people.

Glass products are now common household items, but archaeological evidence shows that their widespread use in Taiwan began only during the Japanese colonial period. Although some glass products reached Taiwan through trade before this time, it was only during the Japanese era that local glass factories were established by either Japanese or Taiwanese entrepreneurs. As a result, glassware gradually became part of everyday life. From food-storage bottles to skincare containers and pharmaceutical vials, glass products show a clear trend of increasing use in daily activities. This shift reflects Taiwanese society’s gradual move toward modern light industrialization and the transformation of modern living.

Archaeometry is a branch of archaeological study that adopts technology and theories of natural science, including GPS, ground-penetrating radar, radiocarbon dating, isotope analysis, and ancient DNA studies, to analyze archaeological remains and sites. Archaeometry is very helpful in achieving the aims of archaeological studies, for it provides information which could not be gained directly through traditional archaeological research methods such as typology and cultural theories. In this exhibition area, you will learn about two examples of archaeometry: petrographic analysis of thin-sectioned potsherd and scientific analysis of glass beads.

Environmental archaeology mainly concerns about the inter-relationship between human beings and the environments in the past. Archaeologists in this field study both the natural and social environments where ancient humans lived in, as well as the strategies they used to adapt to the environments and subsequently the artisanal techniques that they developed.

The idea of eco-system is widely embraced by environmental archaeologists. With subsystems, such as the natural environment (including living beings, water, and landforms) and the human society (including economy, technologies, and cultures), affecting each other, together they constitute the complex eco-system in which human beings live.

As it touches upon both natural science and humanities studies, environmental archaeology is in essence an interdisciplinary field. Theories and methods from biology, earth science, physics, chemistry, and social science are applied in order to give a more holistic picture of the human past.