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10 archaeological discoveries once buried beneath the Gallery
Before the transformation of City Hall and the Former Supreme Court into National Gallery Singapore, the site was witness to both trade and war.

From December 2009 to November 2010, a team of archaeologists seized the rare chance to dig deep (literally) into the site’s layered past and excavated the former carpark between the two buildings (now the Padang Atrium).

Of the 375 kilograms of unearthed artefacts, here are 10 standout discoveries that tell stories of a forgotten past…
Gold foil, c. 1300s.
Gold foil, c. 1300s.
This delicate gold foil, thought to be a religious talisman from East Java, likely travelled far to get here and hints at spiritual exchanges across the seas.
Etched glass and bead, c. 1300s.
Etched glass and bead, c. 1300s.
Glass was a rare commodity in the medieval period and was considered a luxury material. The craftsmanship on this etched piece suggests that craft workshops existed even then.
Qingbai porcelain, c. 1300s.
Qingbai porcelain, c. 1300s.
The first religious figurine to be uncovered in an archaeological excavation in Singapore, this qingbai (white with a blue-green tint) porcelain torso of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (or Guanyin) dates to the Yuan dynasty (c. 1271–1368).
White porcelain jarlet and lid, c. 1300s.
White porcelain jarlet and lid, c. 1300s.
Fish and floral motifs decorate this vessel, which was probably made in the Dehua kilns in Fujian, southern China.
Stoneware, c. 1300s.
Stoneware, c. 1300s.
Simple, sturdy, and from Guangdong province, this stoneware links back to the days of Temasek – which was the old name of Singapore before it was replaced by “Singapura” in the 14th century.
Celadon jarlets, c. 1300s.
Celadon jarlets, c. 1300s.
Celadon was a green glaze developed by Chinese potters and was prized for mimicking the qualities of jade. These were typically produced near the bustling port of Quanzhou, Fujian, suggesting that Temasek was once part of global trade.
Glass gin case bottle, c. mid 1800s.
Glass gin case bottle, c. mid 1800s.
Made in Holland or Great Britain, it remains as evidence of imported indulgences... and maybe an impromptu party.
White earthenware lid of a toothpaste jar, c. late 1800s.
White earthenware lid of a toothpaste jar, c. late 1800s.
A clay lid for toothpaste storage? It’s proof that even in the 1800s, people cared about dental hygiene.
British steel military helmet from World War II, c. 1940.
Metal fillings from British military webbing, c. 1942.
Part of an infantry soldier’s kit and disposed in a wartime slit trench in the Padang, which doubled as an air raid shelter during the Japanese Occupation.
Metal fillings from British military webbing, c. 1942.
British steel military helmet from World War II, c. 1940.
Left behind during a turbulent chapter of our history, this British military helmet is a haunting reminder of Singapore’s WWII history.