在中國南部所見一幅生產陶瓷的壁畫（圖片來源：黃慧怡）
A mural painting of pottery making in South China (Photo credit: Sharon Wong Wai-yee)
人類學系黃慧怡教授一直對古代海上絲綢之路研究有濃厚興趣。在柬埔寨吳哥進行考古學研究期間，黃教授發現不少中國陶瓷會經過越南進口，因此她希望更了解越南與中國的海上陶瓷之路。
Prof. Sharon Wong Wai-yee, Department of Anthropology, has a strong interest in the ancient maritime silk road. When she was conducting archaeological research in Angkor, Cambodia, Prof. Wong found that Chinese ceramics in Angkor were imported through Vietnam. She decided to further study the maritime ceramic road between Vietnam and China.
黃教授以民族考古學的角度切入進行研究，嘗試復原古代人類的社會生活。2019年她到中國南部進行實地考察，收集有關製陶工藝的資料，考察當地考古遺址，調查有否中國遠銷東南亞的產品。另外，黃教授也曾到訪越南，考察當地博物館和考古遺址，並拍攝短片以記錄製陶工藝的過程，作日後參考之用。
Prof. Wong undergoes research from an ethno archaeological perspective to reconstruct the social life of ancient humans. She conducted field work in South China in 2019, which included collecting information on pottery craft, visiting local archeological sites, and investigated what Chinese products were exported to Southeast Asia. In addition, Prof. Wong visited museums and archeological sites in Vietnam, and made video records of the process of making ceramics.
不少研究者在研究時遇上大大小小的難題，黃教授也不例外。首先是參訪前的聯絡工作。到訪村落及合作單位，事前要有良好的溝通讓訪問工作可以順利進行。另外是語言隔閡。黃教授表示，由於她不會當地語言，擔心會影響訪問工作，幸而最終找到合適傳譯，解決了言語不通的問題。
Researchers often face various kinds of difficulties during field research, and Prof. Wong is no exception. First, communication before field work. Appropriate connections should be established prior to field work, so that visits to collaborating units and villages can proceed smoothly. Secondly the language barrier. As Prof. Wong did not speak the local languages, she was concerned that the interviews would be affected. Fortunately, she was finally able to identify suitable interpreters.
由於新型冠狀病毒疫情於全球肆虐，黃教授的研究計劃中部份工作需要延期進行，但她仍然希望能再到越南進行暑期實地考察，帶領中大學生與當地大學生進行學術交流。黃教授計劃明年舉辦相關展覽，向公眾展示研究及學術交流成果。
Because of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus globally, Prof. Wong’s research plan has been delayed. However, she is still hopeful in taking a group of CUHK students to Vietnam for a summer field trip with academic exchange with local university students. Prof. Wong also plans to organize a public exhibition next year to showcase her research findings and the academic exchange.