Apart from the fine porcelain and perfume bottles that have been found, the existence of oyster shells suggests at least some early Bedigonians led the good life.

The oysters would have been brought from Melbourne by horse and cart or train, packed in ice that originated from North America.

The ice was shipped to Melbourne in large blocks and then broken down for industrial and domestic use. Archaeologist and Project Director Adam Ford said he had been amazed at the amount of building activity that had taken place on the Forest Street site.

He said the finds so far were some of the most significant artefacts recovered from Bendigo.

“The superb artefacts, including fine ceramic and glassware, together with the well-preserved foundations, will provide greater understanding of the early settlement, including how people worked and lived during the most dynamic era of Bendigo’s history.”

Mr Ford, who works for DIG International, said the gold rush was a significant event in Victoria’s history and while much was known about the mining, this excavation provided a rare opportunity to peer into the lives of entrepreneurial characters who arrived in the mayhem of the early days.

He said the quality of the Dresden porcelain that had been found also suggested affluence that existed among merchants and professionals