via Macau Daily Times, 23 February 2024: Recent archeological findings at Patio do Amparo near the Ruins of St Paul’s in Macau have debunked initial theories linking the site to a Qing Dynasty imperial customs house, Kwan Pou Hang Toi. The Cultural Affairs Bureau concluded that the structures unearthed, likely part of a later extension for officials’ families’ residence, hold no significant historical value related to the suspected customs house.
A Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) study on archeological materials found at a land plot at Patio do Amparo, in the surroundings of the Ruins of St Paul’s, are unrelated to what was initially suspected to be the main structure of an ancient Chinese imperial customs house dating to the Qing Dynasty.
The conclusions of the study were presented earlier this week at the plenary meeting of the Cultural Heritage Council.
The IC said the ancient building, known as Kwan Pou Hang Toi, should have been in that area, according to old records.
But after in-depth analysis, including the excavation and research of materials and structures found at the site, it was concluded the structures at Zones 5 and 7 of the Patio do Amparo were, most probably, related to a residence for officials’ families.
