Up to 100,000 artefacts likely from rebuild zone
The principal archaeologist involved with the Invercargill CBD block rebuild zone believes artefacts found may total 100,000.
Dr Naomi Woods, of New Zealand Heritage Properties, said most of the excavation work had been done, with only a couple of small areas remaining.
She and her team of archaeologists are analysing and documenting a variety of items found, including lots of bottles and shoes, ceramics and leather goods.
The company still had two years’ work to complete, she said.
‘‘By the time we’re done we’ll be pretty close to 100,000 [artefacts],’’ Woods said.
Artefacts found were sent in 600 boxes to NZ Heritage Properties’ main office in Dunedin. After they were analysed and documented, consignments of artefacts were sent back to the rebuild project company, Invercargill Central Ltd.
Included in the latest consignment were an old beer bottle from 1910, a 1870s Torpedo soda bottle and a leather boot manufactured before 1905.
Marked on the beer bottle was: Digger brand, Whittingham & Co Waikiwi, Ale stout.
‘‘The Torpedo soda bottles were designed to always sit on their side to keep the cork wet and to keep the pressure so the drink doesn’t go flat,’’ Woods said. ‘‘We’ve got lots of these bottles from the site because there were a couple of soda manufacturers just off Tay St. We found lots of shoes . . . There was a shoe factory on the block.’’
Invercargill Central’s public relations manager, Amy Hibbs, said the most interesting artefacts were displayed in its information hub, which was open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm.
‘‘We’ve had quite a few school groups come in . . . It’s fantastic being able to show the public.’’
The artefacts were not for sale, Hibbs said.