An archaeological treasure trove!

As explained at length in the past, archaeologists don’t much like the use of the word ‘treasure‘. But this really is an archaeological treasure trove – lots and lots of artefacts, from which we shall learn lots and lots of fantastic information. Angel is responsible for this beautifully excavated feature, which we think was probably associated with the London and Paris House, a fancy goods store on Colombo Street in the 1860s and early 1870s. Enjoy!

The beginning… Image: A. Trendafilov.

This brick-lined feature was, as you can see, chock-full of artefacts, most of which were concentrated at the top of the feature, indicating that there were at least two deposition events. Image: A. Trendafilov.

A slightly different view of the feature. Image: A. Trendafilov.

A fabulous water filter, from London (it’s the second one of these we’ve found, but this one’s far more complete). Image: A. Trendafilov.

The base of that fabulous water filter. Image: A. Trendafilov.

Barry’s Tricopherous… Image: A. Trendafilov.

Ceramics, waiting to be excavated. Image: A. Trendafilov.

A cup, possibly bearing a message for a child? Image: A. Trendafilov.

All done! Well, nearly. Next up: analysis and research and more great stories! Image: A. Trendafilov.

A happy archaeologist! Image: H. Williams.

5 thoughts on “An archaeological treasure trove!

    • Hi Bruce,
      Yes, absolutely. Is there any information in particular you’d like, or just some general background? Also, we may not get back to you today, but should be able to early next week.

    • Hey,
      At this stage, we think probably a cess pit. It seems too small to have been a cellar, and there was no evidence of there having been shelves, and it was at the rear of the section, not under the shop (which we know from newspaper articles had a cellar).
      Cheers,
      Kat

  1. I have just read this, when I entered the name London and Paris House. My Great great grandparents set up the shop in about 1862. Prior to that they had a shop in Lyttelton called The Civet Cat. They arrived in Lyttelton on the Castle Eden on 7th February 1851. At the Columbus Street shop they sold earthenware, china, cutlery, stationary and books.

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