The Wanshan tribal community is located in Maolin District, Kaohsiung, and formerly known as “mandaulan;” a name that remained in use throughout Japanese rule, when the community relocated to Wanshan village in 1956. In addition to unique characteristics in traditional ceremonies, fishery, hunting, language, and culture, the most distinctive feature of the village is a sunken stone slab house built using ancient techniques. One third of the sunken stone slab house is below ground, so visitors have to bend down when entering. In addition to living considerations, this also prevents intruders from directly entering the building and thereby protects its inhabitants. It is also easier to chop off the heads of intruders in a bent position. The house was constructed by piling stone slabs to form external walls after excavating the pit. The outermost layer of the structure is made of wood and larger stone slabs. A constant temperature is maintained throughout the year with rock insulation; therefore, the interior serves as a highly comfortable living space that is warm in winter and cool in summer.
茂林／萬山石板屋
位於高雄市茂林區的萬山部落，舊時稱為萬斗籠(mandaulan)，此名稱一直沿用至日治時期，直到1956年才從舊部落遷至萬山村現址，近期更是積極的希望從魯凱族正名為歐布諾伙族(Oponoho)。除了傳統祭典、漁獵農耕及語言文化有其特殊性，村落中的一大特色便是有棟遵循古法搭建而成的下潛式石板屋，另舊萬山部落的遺跡與萬山石雕也是登山者們爭相想要一探究竟的祕境。
下潛式的石板屋有三分之一位於地面之下，進入時必須要低頭彎腰入內，此一作用除了居住考量外也具有禦敵效果，讓入侵者不易直接進入，低身彎腰也較易於從室內砍下首級。而房屋建構主要由挖掘後的地穴開始依周邊疊砌板岩，並以木頭為屋架最外層，放至較大塊的板岩，因岩石的材質具有良好的恆溫效果，室內主要為起居空間，冬暖夏涼非常舒適。
文／黃則維、柳青薰
圖／高雄市政府文化局