Governors’ Domain and Civic Precinct listing

ASHA members will have been pleased with the announcement that a large section of central Sydney has been added to the National Heritage List as the Governors’ Domain and Civic Precinct. (https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/governors-domain-civic-precinct) The 100-hectare area includes Macquarie Place, First Government House site, Government House, the Conservatorium of Music, Parliament House, the Mint, Hyde Park Barracks,

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When is a Brick not a Building Material

Authors: Matthew Kelly and Alexandra Thorn (Curio Projects, Sydney) In 2013 AHMS Pty Ltd (now Extent Heritage) completed an archaeological excavation at 478 George Street in Sydney’s CBD known as the ‘Mick Simmons’ site-after the famous sporting goods store which traded there until 2012. The excavation yielded evidence of European occupation, from perhaps as early

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Port Arthur Convict Workshops Investigation

Since March 2020 the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA), in collaboration with Richard Tuffin, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of New England, have been undertaking an excavation of the Port Arthur workshops complex. Situated on the original waterfront since 1830, these workshops housed the trades-focussed activities undertaken at the penal station. Over

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ASHA 50th Anniversary

50 years ago, on the 26th November 1970, the first Australian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA) meeting was held at the University of Sydney. That evening, ASHA was founded to promote the study of historical archaeology in Australia. In 1991, the Society was expanded to include New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, and its name

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Joint statement on the proposed changes to studying Humanities and Social Sciences

On Friday 3 July 2020, all major archaeological associations in Australia (AAA, AACAI, AIAA, ASHA and AIMA) released the following joint statement on the value of archaeology and the teaching of archaeology in our universities in response to Commonwealth Government changes to University Funding. A PDF version of this statement is available here. Archaeology and

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Artefact of the Month: Chamber Pots

In 2019, GML Heritage Pty Ltd (GML) were engaged by ISPT Pty Ltd (ISPT) to undertake an historical archaeological investigation of 364-378 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. This location encompasses two sites listed on the Victorian Heritage Inventory (H7822-1024 and H7822-1025). The sites were used as domestic residences (1864-1918) before the construction of a Women’s VD

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Willow Pattern

Commonly found on historical sites in Australia, Willow pattern ceramics have stood the test of time and been produced for the last 230 years. Here are two online Willow pattern jigsaws for you to do [i]. Photo 1: Virtual Jigsaw 1 https://jigex.com/FY1S Photo 2: Virtual Jigsaw 2 https://jigex.com/uYe1 The arts of Asia, and especially China,

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The Big Dig on SBS

Celebrating 25 Years since The Big Dig excavations in 1994, a new documentary titled ‘Archaeology at The Big Dig’ explores how an archaeological site can give special insights into understanding the history of The Rocks and Sydney. The documentary ‘stars’ many people who are familiar to ASHA members, including Professors Richard Mackay and Grace Karskens,

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