Two historical structures and several artefacts dating back to the gold rush, have been discovered by contractors carrying out excavation works in Long Gully.
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Heritage Victoria was called in to investigate when a red brick structure was discovered by Coliban Water contractors in April.
Further excavation was authorised, and resulted in the discovery of a timber-lined well, a red-brick cistern used for storing water and several artefact fragments.
Coliban Water’s infrastructure delivery manager, Corey Bourne, said contractors were excavating the site near Creeth Street in April for the installation of underground tanks to prevent sewer spillages during heavy rainfall.
“As part of the planning process for all our projects we refer to local planning overlays, state and national heritage registers to ensure the preservation of culturally significant locations and artefacts,’’ he said.
“No level of historical importance had been recorded at this site but on the discovery of a red-brick structure, we ceased work and contacted Heritage Victoria to conduct an investigation.
“Heritage Victoria authorised further excavation and on completion a timber-lined well, a red-brick cistern used for storing water and several artefact fragments had been unearthed.
“It is estimated the well was constructed in the late 1850s, at the peak of the Bendigo Gold Rush, and fell out of use by 1890s. It is a relatively uncommon find, but the four-metre diameter cistern is considered more common.
“Once the site had been photographed and recorded, Heritage Victoria gave us permission to resume work on the project. The cistern had to be removed and the timber-lined well was reburied as part of the reinstatement works after the tanks were installed. “It is an interesting footnote that the site is now the location for another water storage system but for wastewater this time.’’
The artefacts found at the site included fragments of Cohn Brothers bottles, a prominent Bendigo business which was established in 1857 and operated from the site of the Coliban Water office in Bridge Street. Fragments of clay tobacco pipes and glazed crockery are believed to have been manufactured in Scotland around 1875.
“Through our strong partnership with Heritage Victoria we were able to preserve the artefact fragments and record the details of the well and cistern,’’ Mr Bourne said. “It is an important requirement for all our projects that we conserve objects and locations of historical significance for the community.’’
Heritage Victoria will use some of the artefact fragments in education packs for schools to teach students about the types of objects archeologists find in their work.
For further information on the project see Coliban Water’s Wet Weather Storages project page at http://www.coliban.com.au/