The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, in Hong Kong Law (Cap. 53), was enacted in 1976 to preserve the objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith. It is administered by the Antiquities Authority (

Secretary for Development The Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for planning, land development and public works related development policy in Hong Kong. The position was created in 2007 to replace portions of the previous portfolios ...

), with the executive support of the

Antiquities and Monuments Office The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) was established in 1976 under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance to protect and preserve Hong Kong's historic monuments. Housed in the Former Kowloon British School, the AMO is responsible for ide ...

under the Development Bureau, since 2007.

Constitution of the Antiquities Advisory Board

Section 17 of the Ordinance establishes the

Antiquities Advisory Board The Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) is a statutory body of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the responsibility of advising the Antiquities Authority on any matters relating to antiquities and monuments. The AAB was establish ...

(AAB), which consists of members the

Chief Executive A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

may appoint, with one being appointed Chairman by the Chief Executive. The Ordinance does not mandate a minimum number of members, nor the qualifications to become a member. Under s.18 of the Ordinance, the AAB gives a recommendation for the Antiquities Authority on matters relating to antiquities, proposed monuments or monuments under s.2A(1), s.3(1), and s.6(4) of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53).Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53). Those matters include the declaration of proposed monuments, declaration of monuments, and exemptions of forbidden acts relating to certain monuments.

Antiquities

Under the Ordinance, "Antiquities" are defined as "places, buildings, sites or structures erected, formed or built by human agency before the year 1800 and the ruins or remains of any such place, building, site or structure, whether or not the same has been modified, added to or restored after the year 1799" and "relics". The word, "relics" is defined as the movable objects made, shaped, painted, carved, inscribed, created, manufactured, produced or modified by human agency before the year 1800 or those have not been modified, added to or restored after the year 1799. Fossil remains or impressions are also considered as "relics" under the Ordinance.

Archaeological sites

All archaeological relics in Hong Kong are considered as properties of

the Government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...

under the Ordinance. This includes ancient architecture, kilns, hearths, rock carvings, farm lands, shell or refuse mounds and foot prints of ancient human beings. The Antiquities Authority is empowered to regulate the search and excavation of all such relics through a system of licensing. The most important sites are declared as Declared Monuments. These are defined under the Ordinance as any feature, structure, building and artefact which are considered important because of its historical, archaeological or palaeontological significance. Over 180 sites are known as Sites of Specific Archaeological Interest (SSAI).

Monuments

After consultation with the AAB and with the approval of the

, the

may, by notice in the

Gazette A gazette is an official journal, a newspaper of record, or simply a newspaper. In English and French speaking countries, newspaper publishers have applied the name ''Gazette'' since the 17th century; today, numerous weekly and daily newspaper ...

, declare any place, building, site or structure, which he or she considers to be of public interest by reason of its historical, archaeological or palaeontological significance, to be a monument. According to the Ordinance, any one without permits granted by the Secretary for Home Affairs, is not allowed to excavate, carry on building or other works, plant or fell trees or deposit earth or refuse on or in any proposed monuments or monuments; or demolish, remove, obstruct, deface or interfere with any proposed monuments or monuments.

Proposed monuments

Several historical building have been declared as proposed monuments for temporary statutory protection within a specified period.Subcommittee on Antiquities and Monuments(Declaration of Proposed Monument)(Ho Tung Gardens) Notice:Response to Members’ request for information made at the meeting held on 23 February 2011
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King Yin Lei King Yin Lei () is an historic mansion in the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong. It is within the Wan Chai District. History and design The mansion was designed by British architect A.R. Fenton-Raven (Husband of Viola, father of Wynne (Ward) and Do ...

, now being declared monument, was declared a "proposed monument" on September 15, 2007, due to the damage caused by the non-structural works. Jessville, now a Grade III historical building, was declared a "proposed monument" on April 20, 2007.

References

External links

Bilingual Laws Information System

{{Heritage conservation in Hong Kong , state=collapsed Hong Kong legislation Heritage conservation in Hong Kong Historic preservation legislation