Plum stone

Plum used to be a major plant in Mui Tsz Lam(literally means “plum grove”), hence the name of the village. Yet it is the huge lychee tree that attracts our attention and there is no plum trees on the way to Mui Tsz Lam. In the excavation project we discovered a small container which inside are plum stones as recognized by Mr Tsang Yuk On, the Chief of village.

Stone Lattice Window

Slow cooking with the crock

Large earthen jugs and jars are commonly used in village for brewing and pickling. This small crock excavated is no more than a palm size. Villager Tsang Kwai Ying clearly remembers that she cooked congee for his younger brother with this container, as this was her duty. After the rice was cooked, she would put some into the container together with water and salted fish, then leave it on the fire remains to cook overnight. It will become baby congee in the next day.

Between pottery and ceramic

This ceramic deep plate is rather thick and greyish, decorated with patterns. The villagers refer it to “yeung pun”, which literally means “foreign basin”. Its opening and size is way larger than the bowl we use nowadays, thus accommodating more food for the hard working farmers. The villagers have no idea since when did this plate exist. Likely it belongs to the great grandparents of the senior villagers.

Children shoes from overseas

These children’s shoes had been buried in the collapse for years and they are still in good form when unearthed. Villager Tsang Kwai Ying recognizes these shoes belong to her niece Pui Ling who used to stay in Mui Tsz Lam during summer. These are Clarks shoes and were shipped to Hong Kong by her parents in the UK.

Hair dryer

An old-style hair dryer in 1970s or 1980s that made in Shanghai. A must have tool for setting a duck’s arse in old day.