New exhibition links ancient Austronesian activities with modern sport

New Taipei, Jan. 14 (CNA) The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology in New Taipei will present a new exhibition on the theme of ancient Austronesian physical activities from Friday.

Launched to coincide with the World Masters Games taking place in Taipei and New Taipei later this year, the "Exhibition of Ancient Life and Modern Sport" can be seen between Jan. 17 to Sept. 14, 2025, in the museum's Special Exhibition Hall I.

Drawing connections between the Indigenous activities of ancient Austronesian peoples and modern sporting competitions, the exhibition displays items from Taiwan and elsewhere in Southeast Asia and Oceania on the themes of archery, throwing, weightlifting and rowing, according to the museum's website.

The exhibition also highlights similarities between the pregame ceremonies of modern sporting events and ceremonies traditionally held before hunting, farming or expeditions in ancient Austronesian language-family cultures.

"Those who succeeded in these endeavors often received more resources and were even seen as divine, earning the admiration of their people," promotional materials from the museum explained.

The exhibition also presents three-dimensional models of human bones unearthed at the Shihsanhang Site -- an archaeological site revealing an indigenous prehistoric Taiwanese Iron Age culture dating as far back as 1,800 years ago -- to highlight the impact of physical activities on human bodies and offer insights into sports safety.

Located in New Taipei's Bali District, the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and Taiwanese national holidays from 9.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., according to its official website.

The museum is closed on the first Monday of every month.

The admission price for foreign nationals and Taiwanese residing in areas other than New Taipei is NT$80 (US$2.42).

Free entry is permitted to other categories of visitors including registered New Taipei residents, seniors aged 65 or over, indigenous Taiwanese people aged 55 or over, and full-time students studying in Taiwan, according to the museum's website.