Unearthing Taiwan’s Ancient Soul: My Visit to the National Museum of Prehistory, Taitung

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Tucked away on the quiet eastern coast of Taiwan, far from the bustling streets of Taipei, the National Museum of Prehistory in Taitung feels like a gateway into a world long before skyscrapers, smartphones, and high-speed trains. As I stepped through its wide entrance, the sense of space and calm was striking — almost as if time itself had slowed down to let me listen to the whispers of thousands of years ago.

The museum isn’t just a place to look at artifacts; it’s an unfolding story. Each gallery draws you deeper into the lives of Taiwan’s earliest inhabitants — from the mysterious Paleolithic hunters who roamed its mountains, to the Neolithic farmers who shaped the land with stone tools and intricate pottery. What struck me most was how human each exhibit felt. A polished jade ornament, a finely carved bone tool, a set of patterned ceramics — they weren’t just objects in glass cases, they were echoes of real people’s hands, thoughts, and dreams.

One highlight was the section dedicated to the Peinan Site, discovered during railway construction in the 1980s. Here, the museum comes alive with reconstructions, interactive displays, and even a preserved excavation trench. Standing there, looking down into layers of earth that held centuries of stories, I couldn’t help but imagine the archaeologists’ excitement when they first uncovered this treasure trove.

Outside, the landscaped grounds and open spaces felt like an extension of the exhibits. The museum is built in harmony with the land, with the nearby mountains forming a serene backdrop. It reminded me that history doesn’t just belong in books — it’s all around us, in the soil beneath our feet and the air we breathe.

Visiting the National Museum of Prehistory wasn’t just about learning facts; it was about connecting to something bigger and older than myself. It’s the kind of place that leaves you both humbled and inspired, carrying away not just knowledge, but a renewed sense of curiosity about the world’s beginnings.

If you ever find yourself in Taitung, give yourself the time to wander here slowly. Listen to the past. It has a lot to tell you.

Post by SonnySideUp | Aug 15, 2025