Clambering in mud all in a day's work
Archaeologists are relishing the chance to uncover history at the New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building site as they start work to preserve and identify any archaeological findings among the mud and rubble as part of an extensive excavation process.
The Inpatient Building site, originally harbourside land, was used for more industrial purposes and has been a sawmill and foundry as well as a chocolate factory throughout the years, so archaeologists expect to uncover some significant historical artefacts.
Pictured here is a timber box drain, dating to the 1860s, that was recently uncovered and likely continues most of the way across the site, between Cumberland and Castle Streets. Indeed, a section of the drain was uncovered underneath Castle Street in 1976, and appears to continue the full width of that street and out towards the harbour.
When this area was first occupied by the Otago Foundry and Dunedin Iron Works in the late 1850s and early 1860s, the eastern half of the block was still part of the tidal inlet. An 1861 photograph shows the first Otago Foundry buildings built on stilts to cope with the changing water levels, and an early account of this business describes these buildings as temporary until the full property is reclaimed and they can erect a more substantial premises. The same photograph shows a channel flowing underneath Cumberland Street (shown as a raised embankment) and across what is currently the Inpatients block. Having a foundry on the water’s edge did have some benefits, however, and both the Otago Foundry and the Dunedin Iron Works were able to launch ships they had in for repairs directly from their workshops throughout the 1860s!
Archaeologists first documented and photographed the former Cadbury factory prior to demolition and have worked alongside the demolition team as building structures were pulled apart.
They found old bottles and doors which were not clearly visible on the first walk through and many of you may remember the treasure trove of precious historical material that was discovered last year when Ceres, the demolition contractor, were clearing out the buildings.
The prize find included 16 books containing the business records of Hudson & Co, the Dunedin biscuit and confectionery firm that was founded in 1899 and merged with Cadbury and Fry in 1929. The books, found abandoned in a second-floor office cupboard, date back to 1899.
As an important part of the history of Aotearoa, archaeologists will document all findings at the site in a report to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga when their work is completed.
