Domestic Archaeology

Collaborative Workshop on Victorian ceramic analysis and research

Collaborative Workshop on Victorian ceramic analysis and research Victorian artefact specialists are invited to take part in a collaborative workshop on historic ceramics featuring Alasdair Brooks. The workshop will include a talk by Alasdair on his recent research and plans for an updated version of his 2005 An archaeological guide to British ceramics in Australia, as well as two […]

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EXCAVATION: Former Schofields Aerodrome

  INTRODUCTION Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) new Akuna Vista residential development is currently under construction at the site of the former Schofields Aerodrome in Schofields, NSW. GML Heritage, led by excavation directors Dr Jennifer Jones-Travers and Abi Cryerhall, completed historical archaeological excavations to mitigate the impacts of development on three sites associated with the c1820

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HERITAGE NEWS: Fencing wire and references

Regarding fencing wire: About the most wires can usually tell you is that it is post-1788. And you knew that anyway! The earliest Australian record for wire in rural fences I now know of is 1840. A few years earlier than what I published several years ago. (Yes, even I engage in the ‘my site

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RESEARCH NEWS: Marvellous Melbourne IJHA edition

A special edition of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology was published in March 2018, focusing on ‘Marvellous Melbourne’. Volume 22, Issue 1 was edited by Susan Lawrence, Peter Davies and Jeremy Smith and can be found here: https://link.springer.com/journal/10761/22/1/page/1. The special issue contains 11 articles, as follows: Introduction: The Archaeology of “Marvellous Melbourne” – Susan

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EXCAVATION NEWS: Wesley Church, Melbourne

Jeremy Smith, Principal Archaeologist at Heritage Victoria recently discussed the Wesley Church and Jones Lane excavation with ABC Saturday Breakfast Radio host Hilary Harper. From the ABC Radio website: An archaeological dig on Lonsdale Street between Russell and Exhibition has shone a window into life in pre-Gold Rush era Melbourne, showing it was more diverse

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ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: Masonic Stickpin

Excavations at the Wesley Church precinct were carried out by Dr. Vincent Clark and Associates in 2017, a site which is located between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets in the Melbourne CBD. The residences at Jones Lane were brick houses with bluestone footings, ranging in size from two to four rooms. This month’s ‘Artefact of

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EXCAVATION NEWS: Fremantle town centre, WA

A multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Fremantle town centre has opened up an opportunity to excavate the remains of the early town of Fremantle. Archaeologists are interested in the history of the every day, and are also keen to find the remains of the orginal St. John’s Church. For more information see: www.abc.net.au/news

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ARTEFACT OF THE MONTH: Codd Bottle Openers

In 1872 Hiram Codd patented his famous aerated water bottle with its unique internal marble stopper. Once opened the bottle’s ingeniously designed neck kept the marble from obstructing the flow of liquid. But have you ever wondered how a Codd bottle was opened in the first place? Figure 1 Wooden Codd Bottle Opener (Courtesy: https://www.quora.com/There-was-a-harsh-drink-in-India-with-a-ball-in-the-glass-bottle-that-they-called-Soda-What-is-it)

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EXCAVATION NEWS: Wheatsheaf Hotel, NSW

Recent excavations in Paramatta have revealed the remains of the basement of the historic Wheatsheaf Hotel which was built in 1801, and opened only 12 years after Sydney was settled by Europeans. The excavation also uncovered remnants of a wheelwrights workshop and convict cabin, and a bakery, as well as associated artefacts. The site is

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RESEARCH NEWS: A map of the Land Divisions of New South Wales

In 1884 the Crown Lands Act divided New South Wales into three divisions; Eastern, Central and Western. This was not some whimsical classical elusion to the Gallic Wars but the outcome of deliberation on the results of Free Selection since its introduction in 1861. Free selection was established in the various states throughout Australia as

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