I am Melody Tan from Singapore, and I was previously studying in Peking University for my B.A. Degree in History. I am an Archaeology student and have excavated in China and Greece (and hopefully many more to come!). Archaeology is often romanticized by the media as adventures and mysterious explorations. Archaeology, however, is more than just excavations and “finding treasures”, it is through different methods and theories we use to understand and prove our “daydreaming (theories)” right.

The research topic for my Mphil thesis is about the maritime trade between Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and China with ceramics as the medium of discussion. Having an immersive education in China has provided me with the opportunity to study Chinese history and archaeology. I am now seeking to understand how China and other major countries and religions have influenced Asia, thus creating the unique cultural dynamics of today. Studying in Hong Kong, where east-meets-west, will allow me to look at the trade between Southeast Asia and China from a different point of view.