The "Niu-mā-tóu Site" is located on Mount Áo Fēng in the Qingshui District of Taichung City (formerly known as Niu-mā-tóu), within the Taichung Harbor Specific Area's municipal park, which was originally a military base. The site represents the mid-Neolithic culture of central Taiwan and was named after this location, making it the first "named archaeological site" in Taiwan. Excavated pottery from the site primarily features red and brown cord-marked ceramics.
The Niu-mā-tóu Site Cultural Park, situated on Mount Áo Fēng, was named after the Niu-mā-tóu Site, which is the earliest known mid-Neolithic cultural representative in Taichung. The site has multiple layers of cultural deposits beneath the surface and has undergone various changes over time. The name "Niu-mā-tóu" is derived from the transliteration of the name of the Gomach village of the Papora people, who were an indigenous group.
The park is designed to preserve cultural assets and provide educational exhibits. It showcases the introduction to the cultural site, excavated artifacts, archaeological excavation methods, and other displays that help visitors understand the lifestyle and history of human habitation in central Taiwan. The park also features remnants of a Shinto shrine built during the Japanese colonial period and military buildings.
The site has a rich history dating back over 4,000 years, with evidence of various cultural layers, including the Niu-tóu-mā Culture, Ying-pu Culture, and Fán-zǐ-yuán Culture. The site also shows connections with the Niù-cháo-zǐ Culture in southern Taiwan. The area was originally inhabited by the Papora people, who lived by fishing, hunting, and slash-and-burn agriculture. However, their way of life and traditional culture were altered by Dutch colonization and the influx of Han Chinese immigrants during the Qing dynasty.
In 1895, during the Japanese colonial period, a sports field was built on the site, followed by the construction of the Shinto shrine, which served as a symbol of Japanese spirituality and control over the local population. After Taiwan's liberation, the site was converted into a military base, and later, it was returned to the Taichung City government. The site was designated as a municipal historic site and transformed into the Niu-mā-tóu Site Cultural Park.
Upon entering the park, visitors can see a ceramic sculpture that symbolizes the Niu-mā-tóu Culture, characterized by red and brown cord-marked pottery dating back around 4,500 to 3,000 years. The former military barracks have been repurposed as exhibit spaces, and the exterior walls still display the original military unit numbers. Although the Shinto shrine was destroyed after Taiwan's liberation, remnants such as stone lions, stone lanterns, and railings remain.
The park features an observation deck offering a panoramic view of Qingshui District, as well as a path that allows visitors to experience the route used to approach the shrine. The park is an ideal place for families to visit on weekends, providing both entertainment and educational opportunities. For more information on venue usage and regulations, please refer to the official website's attachment download section.