Convicts

ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: ‘The Hated Stain’

One of the most significant finds from the 2002 Casselden Place, Melbourne, archaeological investigations (50 Lonsdale Street) was a medal struck to commemorate the Cessation of Convict Transportation (see images below, source: GML Heritage). The medal commemorates not only the victory of the anti-transportation movement but also the 50th anniversary of the founding of Tasmania […]

ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: ‘The Hated Stain’ Read More »

HERITAGE NEWS: Oatlands Commissariat Restorations, Tas

Restoration work is currently being undertaken by the Southern Midlands Council on the 1827 Commissariat building (see above image, provided by Simon Blight), the oldest building in the Oatlands Military precinct. The council purchased the Commissariat and the later Victorian shop & cottage, which both stand on the same block at 79 High Street, Oatlands.

HERITAGE NEWS: Oatlands Commissariat Restorations, Tas Read More »

RESEARCH NEWS: Convict pirate ship visited Japan in 1830s

A story long believed to be false by researchers in convict history may have been proved true by an amature historian. The English teacher who is based in Japan, along with a volunteer manuscript reading group translated a c1830s description of the arrival of ship Cyprus to the Japanese coast. The crew were a group

RESEARCH NEWS: Convict pirate ship visited Japan in 1830s Read More »

EXCAVATION NEWS: Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney

The Hyde Parks Barracks website has recently been rediscovered, and has been suggested as a ‘blast from the past’ for the blog. The website includes various images of excavations from the 1980’s, which you can check out here: https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/archaeology-action-hyde-park-barracks An excerpt from the page states: In 1979 a major restoration of Hyde Park Barracks was

EXCAVATION NEWS: Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Read More »

ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: Pentridge Prison Fork

This cutlery fork that was recovered from excavations of a large rubbish pit at Pentridge Prison, located to the north of Melbourne. The assemblage is thought to date to the mid-nineteenth century and this particular artefact was chosen as a representative example of the many cutlery items recovered during the excavations. It is a utilitarian

ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: Pentridge Prison Fork Read More »

RESEARCH NEWS: Landscapes of Production and Punishment: the Tasman Peninsula 1830-77

Submitted by Dr Richard Tuffin, Project Archaeologist, PAHSMA In the last round of grants awarded by the Australian Research Council, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers was awarded funds for a three year project examining landscapes of convict labour. Titled Landscapes of Production and Punishment: the Tasman Peninsula 1830-77, the project commences in April of this

RESEARCH NEWS: Landscapes of Production and Punishment: the Tasman Peninsula 1830-77 Read More »

EXCAVATION NEWS: Port Arthur Penitentiary

Last year was a big year for archaeology at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Over a seven month period, we managed to excavate the full extent of the area at the rear of the Penitentiary. Converted between 1854-56 from an 1840s flour mill and granary, the Penitentiary we see today only represents one small part

EXCAVATION NEWS: Port Arthur Penitentiary Read More »

UPCOMING EVENT: Diary of an Archaeologist

A lecture presented by Richard Tuffin and David Roe, entitled ‘But did they wash behind their ears?: preliminary findings from the 2016 Penitentiary Ablutions archaeological excavation at Port Arthur’ will be presented on Wednesday 15 March, at 4.00pm. The lecture will be held at the University of New England (Large Lecture Theatre EM1, Natural Resources

UPCOMING EVENT: Diary of an Archaeologist Read More »

EXCAVATION update, Triabunna, Tas

Author: School of Archaeology & Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and the Social Sciences, compiled by Richard Morrison Triabunna Field School, Tasmania As reported previously this 2nd field work season was to be undertaken by Dr Ash Lenton, ANU, for undergraduates from there but also from the University of Sydney, in January and February 2017.

EXCAVATION update, Triabunna, Tas Read More »