South Australia

Events

10 May 2010 23 May 2010 : Torpedo Station Excavation
Flinders University PhD Candidate James Hunter is making preparations to conduct limited archaeological investigations at the site of Port Adelaide’s former torpedo station, located at the confluence of the Port River and North Arm. The torpedo station was constructed during the latter half of the 1880s, and decommissioned and dismantled around 1917. The general aims of the proposed test excavations will be to investigate the integrity and extent of archaeological deposits and structures associated with the torpedo station site, and compare the design, composition and construction attributes of its structural features with those of other torpedo stations throughout Australasia and the United Kingdom. The excavation is scheduled to take place between 10 and 23 May, and volunteers are welcome. Guided tours of the excavation site will also be provided on the hour between 10am and 3pm (Tuesday – Sunday). If you would like to volunteer please register your interest at http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/dig/booking.php. Enquiries about the project may be directed to James via e-mail at james.hunter@flinders.edu.au Dig deeper...

17 May 2010 : Mitcham Waterworks: Excavation of Brick Well and Dam Wall
The Mitcham Water Works (1879-1930s) was re-discovered in 2002 during field surveys for the Hills Face Zone Cultural Heritage Progam. Subsequent research failed to identify a similar example of 19th century water storage and reticulation technology in Australia and in recent years recommendations for its protection and conservation have been made on several occasions. The Mitcham Tank, at the western end of the water works, is on the South Australian Register of Heritage Places, but was listed without reference to the rest of the complex. The rest of the complex has now been recommended for heritage listing by the City of Mitcham. This excavation program will expose two of the major structures of the water works which have been buried by sediments eroding from a large upstream quarry. By exposing the brick well and the dam wall we can assess their condition and decide on a conservation strategy and whether it will be feasible to restore the water works  Dig deeper...

20 May 2010 : Transported
Flinders Univeristy Department of Archaeology and the South Australian Maritime Museum will transport you 170 years into the past on a quest to investigate maritime foodways and the material culture of immigrant Australia. This event presents an historical and archaeological exploration of food preparation and consumption that includes service of ‘food from the past’ an exhibit of artefacts associated with cooking and eating, short lectures and a performance by the accapella group Nobody’s Fault but Mine. Cost includes hors de oevres from the 1840s, 1910s and 1940s, wine/beer, and entrance to the museum. Dig deeper...

Exhibitions/Displays

16 May 2010 2010-05-23 00:00:00 : Digging up the dirt
Over the past 170 years the ground surface of Port Adelaide has been built up to counteract flooding, burying the remains of Nineteenth Century buildings and artifacts. This display presents artifacts and information collected by students and staff of the Department of Archeology, Flinders University, from archeological excavations throughout Port Adelaide revealing evidence of life from its colonial past. Dig deeper...