Ghosts of past emerge
From beneath old Carlton Hotel site, hints of gold rush era lifestyle
AN archaeological dig at the old Carlton Hotel site in Malop St has uncovered artefacts dating back to the 1850s.
A tea dish, smoking pipes, a single domino, and a corked glass bottle marked “not to be taken” have provided an insight into life in Geelong in its early days.
Archaeologist Natalie Paynter said the artefacts uncovered showed what people were eating and drinking at the time, and even what sort of cuts of meat they enjoyed.
Remains of a barrel, possibly used as a cesspit, may also give insights into the economy and trade of the day.
“The barrel could tell us about the trade of the day and could show how far things came from,” she said. Tea dishes, saucers and glasses, likely to have been recovered from the Union Inn — later the Union Club circa 1880 — were also among the finds.
The 14-room Union Inn was one of the first European buildings in the area, and was built on the same site as the Carlton Hotel.
Principal heritage adviser Meg Goulding said that many of the objects wouldn’t have held significant value to their owners, but helped archaeologists today piece together “life in a different time”.
“We are recording these archaeological remains so that we have a better understanding of how people lived and worked at this site so many years ago, an important reminder of the early European history of Geelong,” she said.
Foundations and the markings of a fireplace showed that the area behind the Carlton Hotel was once a series of cottages, while there was also possible evidence of the old Geelong Advertiser headquarters on Malop St.
Hand-laid bricks arranged where the Addy’s printing press is believed to have been located, when it occupied the land from 1855-65. Just metres away piping sat, giving an insight into pre-modern sewerage systems.
Other establishments to occupy the land on Malop St at various stages include a gun shop, a Cobb and Co office, and the home of the Try Boys Brigade.
Excavations have been operating for the past fortnight and will continue for one more week. Then, once Heritage Victoria has granted consent for developments to go ahead, it will be turned into the headquarters for the National Disability Insurance Agency, housing up to 450 staff and other commonwealth employees.
The heritage requirements of the construction are being managed with Heritage Victoria.