cH I 'I'HE BABES IN THE WOOD, I P ITA. I I . Prospect...

· I Il~ cH I 'I'HE BABES IN THE WOOD, I P ITA. I I Report on the archaeological I excavation of the former I . Prospect Electricity Staff Car Park, I corner of Smith and George Streets,

Parramatta, N.S.W., I I I I I I I I I I I

"I ~ -I'

1989.

Edward Higginbotham M.A. Cambridge

CONSULTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES

www.higginbotham.com.au

Or. Edward Higginbotham. Edward Higginbotham & Associates Pty Ltd.

Phone: +612 9716 5154. Fax: +612 9716 8547.

I I

www.higginbotham.com.au

Dr. Edward Higginbotham. Edward Higginbotham & Associates Pty Ltd.

I Phone: +612 9716 5154. Fax: +612 9716 8547.

I THE

I BABES IN THE WOOD, PARRAMA TTA.

I REPORT ON THE

I ARCHAEOLOGICAL

EXCAVATION OF THE FORMER

I PROSPECT ELECTRICITY STAFF CAR PARK,

I CORNER OF SMITH AND GEORGE STREETS,

I PARRAMATTA, NSW, 1989.

I I I E Higginbotham

Consultant Archaeological SelVices.

I 87 Renwick Street,

LEICHHARDT, NSW 2040. (02) 560-5062.

I Postal address: PO Box 97

I HABERFIELD, NSW 2045.

(02) 797-8209.

I For Prospect County Council (Prospect Electricity)

I December 1990.

I I I

I I

The Babes in the Wood, Parramatta.

I CONTENTS.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

I 1. INTRODUCTION. 1

I 2. SUMMARY OF mSTORICAL SEQUENCE OF

I DEVELOPMENT. 3

2.1. Sequence of buildings. 3

I 2.2. Sequence ofIand title. S

2.3. Historical research of occupants. 6

I 3. DESCRIPTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION. 12

I 3.1. Excavation methodology and the distribution of archaeological features. 14

3.2. Priorities for manual excavation. 17

I 3.3. The detailed description of the archaeological evidence. 19

3.3.1. Period 1, convict occupation. 19

I 3.3.2. Period 2, the hotel. 25

3.3.3. Period 3, Victorian subdivision. 37

I 4. ARTIFACT ANALYSIS. 43

4.1. Analysis of the site. 43

I 4.2. Dating of the artifacts, and methodology. 45

4.3. Dating of phases. 47

I 4.4. Functional analysis of the artifacts. 70

4.5. Depositional Theory. 70

I 4.6. Functional analysis of the site. 72

4.6.1. Period 1. Convict occupation: assemblage. 74

4.6.2. Period 1. Convict occupation: interpretation. 76

I 4.6.3. Period 2. Hotel: assemblage. 78

4.6.4. Period 2. Hotel: interpretation. 96

I 4.6.5. Period 3. Victorian Subdivision: assemblage. 104

4.6.6. Period 3. Victorian Subdivision: interpretation. III

I 4.6.7. Analysis of ceramic values. 113

4.7. Pollen analysis. 116

I I ii

I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


5. SUMMARY OF THE IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION.

APPENDIX 1. SITE RECORDS.

119

121

ill

I I 1 I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I·


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

The author would like to credit the follqwing for their role in the archaeological

excavation:

Project management: Keith Kent, Project Officer, Huntingwood, and Tony

Patterson, Head Office Project Engineer.

Archives: Allan Liversidge, Prospect Electricity.

Excavation supervisors and assistant supervisors: Mary Casey, Emily

CoIlins, Kevin Hickson, Wayne Johnson, Brett Noble (site planning), Georgia Rennie

(site planning), Cathy Snelgrove (fmds supervisor), Karen Sowada, Dominic Steele,

and Rowan Ward.

Specialist reports: Dr. Jim Boow (specialist report: glass), Martin Camey (specialist

report: cemmics), Kevin Hi~kson (specialsit report: metals), Jenny Lindberg (specialist

report: miscellaneous), Tony Lowe (specialist report: organics), Jean Smith (specialist

report: glass), Cathy Snelgrove (specialist report: cemmics), Kim Spurway (specialist

report: glass), Dominic Steele (specialist reports: bone unworked, shell unworked,

Aboriginal artifacts)Rowan Ward (specialsit report: cemmics).

Publication drawings: Brett Noble.

Photography: site photogmphy by author. Print~ for report by Deb.omh Gillespie.

Artifact photogmphy by Sharon Hickey.

Special thanks are also due to all the volunteer staff.

iv

1 1 I 1 I I I I' 1 1 I I I 1 I I I I I I I


1. INTRODUCTION.

The archaeological excavation of the former Prospect Electricity Staff Car Park was

undertaken in 1989, prior to the sale of the site for redevelopment. The excavation was

undertaken because of the archaeological assessment of the site, based on the historical

documentation prepared for the two adjacent sites.! The fact that this historical research

had been completed already allowed the archaeological excavation to proceed without

the need for additional historical docume~tation of the sequence of deVelopment.

The site is located on the south-eastern corner of Smith and George Streets, Parramatta,

and was then owned by Prospect Electricity (Figure 1.1). The site originally formed

part of Allotments 21, 22, and 2a of Section 17, Parish of Saint John, Parramatta. It is

inventory number 73, of Parramatta Central in the archaeological zoning plan for

Parramatta.2

An excavation permit for the site was issued by the Heritage Council of New South

Wales on 31 July 1989.3

Site records and the artifact collection are housed in the archives of Prospect

Electricity.4

1 E. Higginbotham. 1988. Historical and archaeological analysis of the Christian Science Church, Smith Street, Parramatta. Calgaro and Vecchia. E. Higginbotham. 1987. 79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd. 2 E. Higginbotham & P-A Johnson, 1991. The Future ofParramatta's Past. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. D~partment of Planning. 3 HC. 89. 1817. 4 Appendix 1.

1

I I I I I I I I I I I I I

II

I I I I I I I


Location of archaeological site

Figure 1.1. Location plan of the archaeological site, the fonner Prospect Electricity

Staff Car Park, corner of Smith and George Streets, Parramatta, overlaid onto part of

the archaeological zoning plan for Parramatta. (North point to top of page).

2

I I I I I

I I I I I I

I I, I, I, I I


2. SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT.

A complete discussion of the historical sequence of development for the site was

researched prior to excavation mostly for other projects on adjacent sites) This

evidence is summarised below. For the purposes of the excavation, the historical

development of the site was divided up into 4 periods:

Period

1.

2. 3.

4.

Description.

Convict hut and allotment.

Hotel.

Victorian subdivision.

Recent or 20th century.

2. 1. Sequence of buildings.

In Period 1, the site of the former Prospect Electricity Staff Car Park originally

contained part of two allotments, measuring 100 (frontage) by 200 feet (30.48 by

60.96 metres), laid out at the foundation of the town in 1790. A convict hut,

measuring 12 by 24 feet (3.65 by 7.31 metres), was erected central to the frontage of

each allotment by c.1792. George Street was originally an avenue 205 feet wide

(62.48 metres), so these convict huts are located well behind the present street frontage

(approximately 20 metres).2 Both the c.1792 and the c.1804 map ofParramatta show

these original town allotments, but the boundaries between the allotments are shown in

. slightly different positions. Because of this ambiguity, the location of the convict hut

was re-surveyed on the ground from the nearest original.cross street, namely Church

Street (Figure 2.1).3 It was concluded that only the remains of one convict hut would

be located on site. The archaeological excavation would be able to confirm the historical

measurements and also determine whether the alignment of George Street had changed.

1 E. Higginbotham. 1988. Historical and archaeological analysis of the Christian Science Church, Smith Street, Parramatta. Calgaro and Vecchia. E. Higginbotham. 1987. 79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd. 2 E. Higginbotham & P-A J ohnson, 1991. The Future of Parramatta's Past. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. 3 The appropriate measurements for this survey are given in: E. Higginbotham & P-A J ohnson, 1991. The Future of Parramatta's Past. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning.

3

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I.

I I I


The 1823 map of Pariamatta indicates two buildings on the corner of Smith and George

Streets during Period 2, while the third building on the Smith Street frontage is present

on the 1844 map (numbers 2 to 4 in Figure 2.2). The 1844 map indicates the two

earlier buildings are of wood construction, the later building possibly of masonry. 4 It

appears that the present width of the streets, or the present building line, may have been

adopted in 1810, when Governor Macquarie laid out several new streets. At the latest

the narrower streets were present by 1823, as shown on the map of that date. 5 '.

Our knowledge of the remaining buildings on the site during Period 2 derives from the

1877 subdivision plan, representing the buildings present at the closure of the hotel. 6 It

shows the hotel buildings, being the two present on the 1823 map, a stone cottage, the

one built between 1836 and 1844, the stone stables and other out-buildings, including

the well.

With the subdivision and sale of the hotel site in the 1870s and 1880s, the hotel was

demolished and replaced by a substantial two storey house and out-buildings on the

corner of Smith and George Streets (Figure 2.3). The masonry cottage and the stabies

remained, the latter having undergone several alterations between 1877 and 1895

(numbers 20 and 27 in Figure 2.3).7

In the early 20th century, the former stables were demolished and replaced by a single

storey brick building on the George Street frontage. By the 1960s the large Victorian

building had been demolished and the site amalgamated in the ownership of Prospect

Electricity. A brick building with concrete footings is then present on !he rear of the site

(Figure 2.4).8 These two brick buildings were demolished before the archaeological

excavation.

4 Johnstone, 1836. AO Map 4799. Brownrigg, W: M. 1844. Plan of the Town of Parramatta and adjacent properties. M3. 811. 130 V1844/1. ML. 5 E. Higginbotham & P-A Johnson, 1991. The Future ofParramatta'sPast. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. 6 Subdivision plan held by the Parramatta and District Historical Society, photographed and copied with the permission ofJohn McClymont, former President of the Society. 7 Department of Lands, Metropolitan Detail Series, Parramatta. M. Ser. 4.81 VI80V-: ML. 8 DP. 552982. Latest date of survey 1 December 1970. LTO.

4

I

I I I I I 'I I I I I :1,

I I I

I I I


2.2. Sequence of land title.

With the establishment of the town ofParramatta in 1790, a number of allotments were

laid out along either side of George Street. These remained for the use and

accommodation of convicts, at least until the mid 1790s. The first town lease in

Parramatta is dated to 1796, after which time the convicts were gradually replaced by

free persons on the allotments in the town. It was not until the l820s, with the

construction of the Convict Barracks on Macquarie Street, thc:tt this process was finally

completed with the removal of the convicts from their former allotments. 9

There is no evidence of a formal town lease of the allotments on this site prior to 1823,

when the whole system of town leases and allotments was reorganised. 10 However the

return of town allotments in 1823 records the following persons holding the allotments:

Allotment

2a

21

22

Name

none.

William Watkins.

Thomas Clowers.ll

The problem of permis§.ive occupancy of the town allotments of Parramatta was

removed by the formal tit1~ offered on 30 June 1823. The allotments were granted or

leased as follows:

Allotment

2a

21

22

/

Name

none.

William Watkins (grant),12

Thomas Clowers (lease).13

William Watkins received the grant of the allotment on the corner of Smith and George

Streets, because improvements to the value of £1,000 or more had been completed

9 E. Higginbotham & P-A Johnson, 1991. The Future ofParramatta's Past. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. 10 Research into all land title in Parramatta prior to 1823 was researched as part of the archaeological zoning plan: E. Higginbotham & P-A Johnson, 1991. The Future of Parramatta's Past. An Archaeological Zoning Plan. 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. 11 Surveyor General. 1823. General Return of Allotments in the Town ofParramatta. 417576. AONSW. 12 Ser. 26. P. 13. LTO. 13 Ser. 26. P. 11. LTO.

5

I I I

I I I I I I

I I I I I: I I I I I


thereon. These improvements were in fact the 'Hawkesbury Settler Hoter, a licence for

which was first obtained in 1817 by Andrew Nash)4 William Watkins purchased the

hotel in 1822 for £ 1,000, including Allotments 21, 3 and 4 of Section 17. He had taken

out a mortgage of £600 from Solomon Levey for this purchase, and his failure to repay

this loan resulted in the forced sale of the hotel to Nathaniel Payten in 1826. The hotel

was subsequently renamed the 'Babes in the Wood'.

Thomas Clowers, the lessee of Allotment 22, died in 1829. The estate was

administered by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and the allotment sold to Nathaniel

Payten in 1830.

The remaining Allotment 2 of Section 17, only a small portion of which is on the site,

came into the possession ofNathaniel Payten in 1840 and 1841.

All the property remained in the ownership of Nathaniel Payten until his death in 1864.

His widow retained the whole of Section 17 until her death, when it was finally

subdivided between 1878 and 1882. The later ownership and sequence of title has not

been researched in detail.

2.3. Historical research of occupants.

Detailed historical research of the occupants of these town allotments is included in a

number of other reports. Individuals researched include, Andrew Nash, William

Watkins, Thomas Clowers, and Nathaniel Payten.15

14 F, Pollon. 1983. Parramatta. The cradJe city of Australia. Its history from 1788. Council of the City ofParramatta. 15 E. Higginbotham. 1988. Historical and archaeological analysis of the Christian Science Church, Smith Street, Parramatta. Calgaro and Vecchia. E. Higginbotham. 1987. 79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd. F, Pollon. 1983. Parramatta.. The cradle city of Australia. Its history from 1788. Council of the City ofParramatta.

6

I I I I I

I I I I I I

I I I' I I I I I


Key to buildings illustrated in Figures 2.1 to 2.4.

Number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

, 18

19

20

21 - 23

24

. 25 - 26

27

28 - 29

30 - 32

33

34

Name or description.

Convict hut, 1792 and 1804 maps.

Hotel, 1823 map.

Hotel, 1823 map.

Building, 1844 map.

Stone cottage, 187'7 plan.

Oven, 1877 plan.

The Babes in the Wood old inn, 1877 pIano

The Babes in the Wood old inn, 1877 plan.

Addition, 1877 plan.

The Babes in the Wood old inn, 1877 plan.

Well, 1877 plan.

Possible lean to structure, of fenced off area, 1877 pIano

Stone'house, 1877 plan.

Stone stabling, 1877 plan.



Shed, 1877 plan.

WC, 1877 plan.

WC, 1877 plan.

Building, including 5 and 6 above, 1895 mapo

Out-buildings, 1895 map.

2 storey Victorian building with verandahs, 1895 map.

Out-buildings, 1895 map.

Building, probably 14 above, 1895 map.

Additions.

, Out-buildings, 1895 map.

Single storey brick building, demolished 1989.

Brick building, concrete footings, demolished between 1970

and 1989.

7


S M

T

H

S t.

-

site boundary

-

'------

: I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

1

1

I

1

1

;1

~I - -

Period 1


GEORGE St

area

I , , +

street frontage - - - -- - -

+ , I +

I hut

I

I

I , + + I ,

I

I

I

I

+ , , I +

I

I

I

I

I +

I

I

I

1

1 \ 1

I

\N 1

1

1

I

I le.

1 0 10m allotment 1 - - -

BN

Figure 2.1. Plan of the site during Period 1, convict hut, showing the site boundaries, the excavated area, and the survey grid, laid out in 10 metre squares. The position of the convict hut and allotment was calculated by site survey using the original historical measurements. The excavated hut was in the same position, revealing that the alignment of George Street has remained unchanged since 1790. The archaeological excavation also demonstmted that the original town layout can be accumtely reconstructed. The key to the buildings may be found on page 5.

8

18 19

f8g

IN rzl ••• 0 10m 0

@I 11 1

1823,1836 & 1844 maps

1877 plan, structure

1877 plan, open-sided

structure

Period 2 _ - - - -_ - - - - -gr;'t boundaries/ I

I~------

12

1--<-.:=---'

BN

Figure 2.2. Plan of the site during Period 2, the hotel, showing the site boundaries, the excavated area, and the survey grid, as in Figure 2.1. The boundaries of the two town allotments fonning the majority of the site are indicated, namely Allotment 21 (left), and 22 (right) of Section 17. The key to the buildings may be found on page 5.

9


10m

Period 3


32 31

~ structure

Ea open-sided structure

30

BN.

Figure 2.3. Plan of the site during Period 3, Victorian subdivision, showing the site boundaries, the excavated area, and the survey grid, as in Figure 2. I. The boundaries present after the 1878 to 1882 subdivision are indicated from the 1895 plan. The key to the buildings may be found on page 5.

10


10m

Period 4


~ structure

fLJ open~sided

structure

BN

Figure 2.4. Plan of the site during Period 4, recent or 20th century, showing the site boundaries, the excavated area, and the survey grid, as in Figure 2.1. The key to the buildings may be found on page 5.

11

------------------------------------------------------------------------- .-- --

I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


3. DESCRIPTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION.

The evidence from the archaeologkal excavation.may be divided up into a number of

periods and phases. The sequence of historical development on the site was divided

into four major periods:

Period

1.

2. 3.

4.

'. Description.

Convict hut and allotment.

Hotel.


Recent or 20th century.

Each period may contain cl number of phases. The archaeological features were placed

in a number of phases in accordance with s~ratigraphy, location or distribution, and

physical characteristics. The phasing of the site is similar to the 'Harris Matrix" in

function,.but much simpler to use on sites where there is minimal stratigraphy. The

following phases were recognised:

Phase Dating Description.

I Natural.

2-4 1790s - 1800s Convict hut.

5 1860s - 1880s Hotel.

6 1900s Victorian subdivision.

7 undated Possible hotel.

8 1820s - 1890s Modem.

9 undated Uncertain date.

10 1830s - 1840s Well, primary cut.

11 1830s - 1840s Well, secondary cut.

12 1900s Well, backfill.

12A 1830s - 1870s Well, earlyb~ckfill.

13 1820s Timber building.

14 1820s - 1880s Features cutting through introduced soil type.

15 1820s - 1840s Early features.

16 1820s - 1830s Remnant Al Horizon (topsoil).

17 undated unused phase.

18 - 19 1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.

20 undated Spoon drains.

12

I I I I I I I I I I,·

I I I I I I I I I I I

21

22

23

undated

undated

undated


House or stable.

Ceramic pipe drainage trenches

Pit cut by spoon drains.

The total number of contexts in each phase is indicated in the context catalogue in the

site records.! The above phases may be placed in chronological order as follows, and

related to each historical period:

Period 1

Phase

2-4

Period 2.

Phase

13

14

15

16

18 - 19

10

11

12A

5

20

21

23

Period 3.

Phase

6

8

12

22

1 Appendix 1.

Convict occupation.

Dating Description.

1790s - 1800s Convict hut.

Hotel.

Dating Description.

1820s Timber building.

1820s - 1880s F~tures cutting through introduced soil type.

1820s - 1840s Early features.

1820s - 1830s Remnant Al Horizon (topsoil).

1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.

1830s - 1840s Well, primary cut.

1830s - 1840s Well, secondary cut.

1830s - 1870s Well, early backfill.

1860s - 1880s Hotel.

undated Spoon drains.

undated House or stable.

undated Pit cut by spoon drains.

Victorian Subdivision.

Dating Description.

1900s Victorian subdivision. .:

1820s - 1890s Modern.

1900s Well, backfill.

undated Ceramic pipe drainage trenches

13



Period 4. Mid 20th century.

No phases belonged to this latest period of occupation.

Phases} which could not be dated by artifacts, were allocated to a particular period on

the basis of either stratigraphy or historical documentation.

The following text will summarise the results of the archaeological excavation in ': .

accordance with the four periods identified above.

3.1. Excavation methodology and the distribution of archaeological

features.

The analysis of the adjacent sites, and the earlier excavation of 79 George Street

enabled the prediction that archaeological evidence would survive intact across most of

the site, with the possible exception of the highest part in the vicinity of the convict hut

(Figure 3.1).2

There is a general tendency, at least within Parramatta, for low lying areas to become

infilled, and for high areas to be levelled and lowered. This process has been

determined to a large extent by the original topography of the alluvial plain of the

Parramatta River. For example, the convict hut on this site was located near the apex of

an original levee bank, whereas the sandstone box drain at the southern end of the site

was located in a low lying natural drainage channel. 3

Given the importance of the convict hut and the distribution of the known historical

structures, it was therefore decided that most of the site should be opened up by

mechanical excavator to expose the archaeological evidence. With few exceptions, the

machine excavation was limited to removing topsoil or demolition layers above the

intact archaeological deposits. Exceptions were made only where the failure to remove a

deposit would involve a substantial addition to the manual excavation. Even in these .:

cases, consideration was given to leaving a portion of the deposits for manual

excavation. Only two archaeological features were partly removed in this way, namely

the laneway from Smith Street, laid out after the Victorian subdivision, and the upper

2 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of 79 George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W. C. H. Webb Bros. 3 Soil sciences report by Roy Lawrie, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Parramatta.

14


S M

T

H

S t.

site boundary

IM.

o

Site Plan


GEORGE Sf.

10m

51

BN

Figure 3.1. Site plan indicating the general distribution of archaeological features, together with the site boundaries, the excavated area, and the survey grid, as in Figure 2.1. Comparisons may be made with Figures 2.1 to 2.4 for the general correlation of the archaeological features with the buildings located by historical research of maps and plans. The site plan also locates all the archaeological site subdivisions, and the major section lines, Sections 1 to 3, illustrated in Figures 3.6 and 3.7. More detailed plans of the archaeological features are illustrated in Figures 3.2 to 3.5.

15


.-The Babes in the Wood, Parramatta.

portion of the bottle dump. Given the limited timetable and funding for the project,

machine excavation of these deposits was the only means of exposing the totality of the

archaeological record within the available time. The alternative was to risk not

discovering. the remains of the convict hut or hotel until too late for proper excavation.

The opening up of the site in this way quickly revealed the distribution of

archaeological features across the site. In order to complete this assessment, one of the

first tasks of manual excavation was to .thoroughly clean, record, photograph and plan

the whole site.

The lower frequency of archaeological deposits in Site Subdivisions· 14, 15, 24, 25,

35, 45, and 51 was therefore obvious at an early stage (Figure 3.0.4 In Site

Subdivisions 14, 15, 24 and 25, the demolition of the two storey Victorian house

(Number 24 in Figure 2.3) and its associated outbuildings had been so thorough as to

remove most deposits aSsociated with it and the early occupation beneath it. In fact, a

ripper blade, probably mounted on a bulldozer, had been used to unearth the footings

of the buildings. Evidence of this was found in narrow slit features cutting through

contexts associated with the convict hut. Luckily the use of this machine had been

restricted to the western part of the site, beyond the post-holes of the convict hut. The

co~vict hut itself was exposed in the red clay directly under approximately 10

centimetres of blue metal and the bitumen of the car park. The post-holes themselves

were so shallow and indicate that the evidence had come so near to total destruction.

In the north-east part of the site, namely Site Subdivisions 44 and 45, the single storey

building constructed in· the 20th century (Number 33 in Figure 2.4) had involved the

levelling down of the whole allotment, and the consequent loss of earlier archaeological

evidence in this area (Figure 3. O.

The rear of the site, behind the crest of the former levee bank, presented deeper

deposits, which had allowed for the better preservation of stratigraphy and

archaeological features. Only to the south of this crest did any. of the original Al and A2

4 The site subdivisions were based on the 10 metre grid laid out across the site, with a zero point off the site to the south-west. The first figure of the site subdivision name is the distance in 10 metre intervals in an easterly direction of the zero point, the second figure representing the same measurements in a northerly direction. In other words the system used complies with the standard convention for giving a grid reference. For example Site Subdivision 15 represents the 10 by 10 metre square, 10 metres east and 50 metres north. Grid references for features are usually given to the nearest metre, for example 3540 locates the square brick feature on the. boundary between Site Subdivisions 33 and 34.

16

I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I

The Babes in the Wood, Parramatta. ,

soil horizons survive intact in Site Subdivisions 23, 33,43 and 51.5 This is the area

where arcp,aeological features form the densest concentrations. They may have been as

concentrated in the north ofthe site, but this evidence has been destroyed.

In Site Subdivision 51 the density of archaeological features is lower. There is no

reason wh~ deposits should have been destroyed here, so that the lower density may be

a true indication ofless intense occupation. It was a low lying and poorly drained area

in any case, as well as being at the rear, ~way from any street frontage. The sandstone

box drain traversed this part of the site (Figure 3.1).

Any attempt to reconstruct the original density of archaeological features must take into

account the removal of archa~ological deposits by construction or demolition at a late

stage in the historical sequence of development. This process has obviously occurred in

Site Subdivisions 14, 15, 24, 25, 35, and 45. The remainder of the site,probably

preserves the density of archa,eological features as originally occurring.

While the partial destruction of the northern part of the site is evident, nonetheless

another important factor may have influenced the distribution of archaeological features

in this area. The original street frontage ofGeorge Street is located at approximately 52

metres north on the site grid, that is 2 metres north of the line dividing Site

Subdivisions 14, 24, 34, and 44 from 15, 25, 35 and 45 (Figure 3.1). Both the convict

hut and the hotel were built on this frontage, a fact that would substantially influence

the distribution of archaeological deposits. There are unlikely to have been many

features in the street! It is interesting to note that the early wells, both on this and the

adjacent site, are the first archaeological features to be placed in the former street

reservation, once the street width had been narrowed between 1810 and 1823.6

3.2. Priorities for manual excavation.

The combination of the original distribution of archaeological features and their later

partial destruction determined the direction of the 'manual excavation. It was decided

that the following deposits warranted the most attention, on the basis of their

archaeol<;)gical potential and condition of preservation:

5 Soil sciences report by Roy Lawrie, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Parramatta. 6 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of 79 George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W. C. H. Webb Bros.

17



1. The sites of the convict hut and hotel. The convict hut was located in

parts of Site Subdivisions 24, 25, 34 and 35, whereas remains of the

hotel were almost absent, except for a sandstone box drain (417),

commencing from near its site (Figure 3.2).

2. The concentration of archaeological features in Site Subdivisions 23,

33 and 43 (Figures 3.3 and 3.4). Insufficient time was available for the

complete manual excavation of this area, but sufficient work was

completed to recover its archaeological potential. In view of the time

restraints, most attention was given to the timber building centred on

Site Subdivision 33, and the bottle dump (261) in Site Subdivision 43

(Figure 3.4).

3. The sandstone box drain in Site Subdivision 51. In view of the fact

that this drain had been fully investigated on the adjacent site, it was

considered only necessary to expose the drain, clean, record,

photograph and plan it. This process demonstrated no change in

construction, nor any important features associated or joining the drain

(Figure 3.5).7

4. The well (43) in Site Subdivision 35/45. The excavation of this well

was considered a priority, since it was the only one of four wells or

cisterns on the site, which could have been contemporary with the hotel,

Period 2. The remainder were considered to be contemporary with

Period 3.

The remaining features on the site were cleaned, photographed, plaIined and recorded.

Only a small number of these were excavated, since their interpretation was mostly self

evident without further investigation.

7 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of 79 George Street, Parraroatta, N.S.W. C. H. Webb Bros.

18

/

I I I I I 1-I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


3.3. The detailed description of the archaeological evidence.

The detailed description of the archaeological evidence recovered during the excavation

will be arranged in accordance with the historical periods and archaeological phases of

the site, as described above:

Period 1

Phase

2-4

Period 2.

Phase

13

14

15

16

18 - 19

10

11

12A

5

20

21

23

Convict occupation.

Dating De~cription. 1790s - 1800s Convict hut.

Hotel.

Dating Description.


1820s - 1880s Features cutting through introduced soil type.







1860s - 1880s Hotel.




Period 3. Victorian Subdivision.



8

12

22

3.3.1.

1820s - 1890s

1900s

undated

Modem.

Well, backfill.

Ceramic pipe -drainage trenches

Period I, convict occupation.

Only Phase 2 to 4 was allotted to Period 1, the convict occupation of the site.

19



1

0::::1"1 (V') 1

-1-

Figure 3.2. Plan of the convict hut, and associated features, Phases 2 to 4, Period 1. Only those features belonging to the convict hut are numbered. The sandstone box drain on the right belongs to period 2, the hotel. The location of the Site Subdivisions 24 and 34 may be identified in Figure 3.1.

20

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I


Convict hut. The convict hut was recognised as a series of post-holes forming a

rectangle, measuring 6.7 by 4 or 4.8 metres ( approximately 22 by 13 or 15 feet 9

inches ), depending on which line of post-holes is taken to be the back wall (Figure

3.2). The north west corner of the structure was missing, because only the bases of the

post-holes survived in general, while they had been totally removed in this corner.8 The

archaeological evidence reveals a convict hut built using a timber frame of uprights set

in the ground. The round shape of the post-pipes suggests that the timbers were

unworked, but only cut into the correct lengths. The posts were placed at somewhat

irregular intervals, though averaging 1 metre (3 feet) apart. The extent of grey clay

directly overlying the B Hprizon is not naturally occurring, and was interpreted as

evidence of the daub covering the wall panels or wattles. How this grey clay came to de

deposited at the base of the A Horizon is unclear, but is comparable with the convict hut

excavated in 1985 in Parramatta. There is no evidence of a fireplace attached to the

convict hut, but there is a possible indication of an internal partition wall to one side of

the presumed central doorway. If the internal line of posts is a partition wall, it would

have formed a smaller room at one end of the hut, measuring 2.2 metres ( 7 feet 3

inches) wide by the existing width of the hut. A number of the post-holes are re-cut, or

replaced, an indication of substantial repair or replacement of the structure.

Addition to convict hut. Apart from the convict hut itself, ther~ are a number of

other post-holes, definitely belonging to this phase, which allow fQr a number of

possible interpretations. As stated above, the position of the back wall of the hut is

ambiguous, allowing for its width to be either 4 of 4.8 metres. However the rear line of

post-holes may belong to an additional structure, contiguous with the back of the

convict hut. This additional structure may comprise the rear line of post-holes and the

group of post-holes, between 3.2 and 3.5 metres further back (842, 1457, 1565, 1585,

and 931). This 'may be interpreted as an open sided structure, probably a lean-to or

skillion. It is unlikely that this structure had a pitched roof since it would have resulted

in poor drainage between it and the hut, neither are there any posts to hold any ridge

poles.

Barrel pits and other features. There are a 'number of pits and other features

associated with the convict hut and its addition. To the north of the hut, there is a single

8 The immediate overburden in this area was limited to approximately 10 centimetres of blue metal and the bitumen of the car park. All the archaeological deposits were cut into the B horizon of the soil profile, namely red clay, the A horizon having been completely removed. Only toward the division of Site Subdivisions 24, and 34 with 23 and 33 did the A2 horizon sUlvive above the B horizon.

21

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I


irregular sided pit (1414), possibly used as a rubbish pit, although containing few

artifacts. This does not rule out organic rubbish, which may not have survived.

To the west of the hut are a group of four barrel pits (552,892,942 and 944), and one

other similar pit, although without any barrel placed in it (896). These have been termed

barrel pits, since the remains of barrel hoops were found in situ within them. Originally

the barrels may have been almost completely buried, with only their lids showing. The

remaining archaeological features include another barrel pit (1591) to the south of the

addition to the hut, and a large rectangular pit (1455) next t·o the west wall of the

addition. This large pit may have had a post-hole at each corner, although the evidence

has partly been destroyed by later disturbance.

Interpretation of barrel pits and related features. The interpretation of these

barrel pits and other features is extremely difficult. The most obvious interpretation,

that the barrels were used for storage, is unlikely. Storage of fresh water, other liquids,

salted meat or other products would have been placed at risk of contamination by being

buried in the ground. The most appropriate place for these commodi~ies would be in a

room or store, where the surrounds could have been kept dry. There would have been

no need to go to the trouble of burial of the barrels for this purpose. Concealment is

also an unlikely possibility, because of the prominent position of the hut, the activities

around which would have been clearly visiple from the street.

The next most obvious interpretation is that the barrel pits served a structural purpose,

supporting a platform or other superstructure. This interpretation cannot be ruled out,

but there is no evidence of posts having been placed in the backfill, unless they were

placed in the barrels before they were backfilled. The structural interpretation is made

more difficult, because the single barrel pit behind the addition has to be considered a

separate structure. There is also no explanation of why ordinary posts were not used,

instead of barrels. Even if the structure was designed to keep.out rodents of other insect

pests, a structure based on buried barrels seems too elaborate to be credible.

The structural relationship of the large rectangular pit with the addition to the hut is

suggested by its position and also by the post-holes within it. It may have been some

sort of subterranean structure or small cellar.

The backfill of all these features is indicative of deliberate backfill, at a time soon after

excavation, since there is little evidence of gradual silting. The backfill is a mixture of

the original Al and B Soil Horizons.

22

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I


The structural interpretation may need reconsideration in one set of circumstances. The

use of the rectangular pit as a cellar has been suggested. In other words, there was a

need to keep perishable items cool. Referring again to the barrel pits, one reason why

they may have been buried and used for storage is precisely to keep perishable items,

like butter, milk and cheese. Of all the interpretations this is the one that is most

consistent with all the evidence. It is also supported by historical documentation. For

example, James Atkinson in his book, An Account of the State of Agriculture and

Grazing in New South Wales, publisheci'in 1826, recommended· that an underground

dairy was best. 9

General interpretation of Period 1. The archaeological evidence of the convict

hut supports and confirms the scant historical evidence for their construction, as quoted

in Chapter 4. The post construction, the wattle and daub walls, and roofing materials

are all consistent. While there is no structural evidence of a fireplace, enough bricks

were found in' the associated archaeological deposits to indicate a brick structure

nearby. There was also evidence of a partition wall to one side of the presumed central

doorway. The irregular placement of the post-holes and the rough timber used indicates

the shoddy methods of construction.

However in this example there is some variation from the historical dimensions for a

convict hut, namely 3.65 by 7.31 metres (12 by 24 feet). In addition, the post-holes are

generally smaller and more irregular in dimensions, compared with the convict hut

excavated at the west end of George Street in 1985.10 The c. 1792 and 1804 maps of

Parramatta clearly indicate that building of the huts comm~nced at the western end of

George Street, under the watchful eye of the Governor, and progressed towards the

eastern end. 11 The variations in dimensions may therefore simply be the result of

slightly later construction or different work gangs and overseers, but could also imply

the accommodation of different groups in the gaol town, as indicated by Watkin Tench

in 1790.12

9 J. Atkinson, 1826, An Account of the State of Agriculture and Grazing in New South Wales) Facsimile edition with an introduction by B. H. Fletcher, Sydney University Press, p. 98. 10 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 'The excavation of buildings in the early township of Parramatta, New South Wales, 1790 - 1820s', AlHA. Vol. 5: 3-20. 11 Higginbotham and P-A J ohnson. 1991. The future ofParramatta 's past. An archaeological zoning plan) 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. . 12 W. Tench. 1979. Sydney's First Four Years. Facsimile. Library of Australian History, Sydney: 195-196.

23

I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I

/


Both convict hut sites have other common features, namely the renewal or replacement

of posts, and the additional structure at the rear. There is historical documentation for

the repair of convict huts soon after their construction. The following brief note

appeared in a return of public buildings erected since October 1796, which was sent to

England in despatches on 25 September 1800:

'Repaired the government huts at Parramatta and Toongabbie, originally

built by Governor Phillip for the reception of convicts, but which had

been some years neglected, and were now in a state of ruin. Many

indeed had fallen down' .13

They are also mentioned in a return of public works between 23 September 1800 and

31 December 1801:

'Weather boarded 40 houses at Parramatta and Toongabbie, which were,

in ruins - building chimneys' 14

There is very little historical documentation to indicate the presence of structures other

than the convict huts on each allotment. Both sites had archaeological evidence of

structures attached to the rear of the convict hut. The independent nature of the

construction of the adjacent or contiguous walls of the two structures also appears to be

similar in each case.15

The one principal difficulty with the present excavation is that it was not possible to

meaningfully divide the archaeologicai remains of the original hut and its rebuild or

repair. Neither could the associated barrel pits and other features be allocated reliably to

the original or second stage of the building. For this reason it is not possible to interpret

the extent of development in the convict occupation as opposed to the later supposedly

free occupation of the same hut. It is convenient to assume that the additional building,

the barrel pits and possible cellar belong to the later occupation, since this gives a more

impoverished impression of the convict living conditions, and is more consistent with

the available historical documentation.

13 lIRA. Vol. 2:560. 14 lIRA. Vol. 3:438.

.;

15 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 'The excavation of buildings in the early township of Parramatta, New South Wales, 1790 - 1820s', AJHA Vol. 5: 3-20.

24

I I I I I I

I' I I I 'I I I' t I I I I I I


Nonetheless the archaeological evidence points to the expansion of living or working

space, and the commencement of a possible dairy on the allotment. If this interpretation

is correct, it is a very important finding, and is supported by the historical

documentation that stock was kept on the allotments, as well as the' practice of

horticulture. For example, a public notice, dated 28 September 1811, and re-issued the

next'month on 5 October, prohibited the grazing of pigs and goats in the street, and

ordered their confmement to their owners premises, except when taken to the Common,

where they should be ringed and yoked,16

3.3.2. Period 2, the hotel.

A number of phases belong to Period 2, the hotel. They are listed in chronological

order:






18 - 19 1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.



12A 1830s - 1870s Well, early backfill.

5 1860s - 1880s Hotel.


21 undated House or stable.

23 undated -Pit cut by spoon drains.

These phases will be described in the above order.

Phase 13. Timber building.

The timber building was located predominantly in Site Subdivision 33, but included

part of 23 (Figure 3.4). The western wall line is marked by a slot (I736), cut by a

16 Sydney Gazette, 28 September, 5 October 1811.

25

"

I

-I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

~'----j 11 = 1 0

\1?5 1


E

[

Figure 3.3. Plan of Site Subdivision 23, showing archaeological features belonging to Phases 13, 14 and 15. The location of Site Subdivision 23 may be located in Figure 3.1.

26

I I I I I

",I I' I 'I I I I I I I I I I I" I


number of post-holes, the eastern wall being a similar series of features, to the left of

the sandstone box drain (417). The north wall of the building is unclear, but may be

formed by a number of the post-holes to the south of the boundary with Site

Subdivision 34. The red clay layer and cobbling (1290,425,434) are presumed to be

the flooring associated with the building. There is evidence of burning in a number of

the archaeological deposits, principally in the horizontal sleeper beams.

The clay and cobble floor stand upon the 'original Al Horizon, while the remains of the

building are covered with an introduced soil type, to be described below.

The type of structure may be reconstructed from the archaeological evidence, namely a

timber framed building, with horiz0Iltal wall plates and vertical posts. The timber frame

may have been infilled with slabs. The cobble floor indicates a durable and hard

wearing floor surface, typical of that in farm buildings or stables. The artifact

assemblage associated with this building was dated to the 1820s.

It is tempting to associate the evidence of burning from the timber building with a fire

that was reported in the Australian on 5 September 1825. The fire had started at or next

to the stable and had completely burnt the western part of the hotel premises. 17 The

artifact dating is consistent with that of the fire, and the construction of the timber

building is consistent with a stable.

Figure 3.4, next page. Plan of Site Subdivisions 33 and 34, showing the archaeological features associated with the timber building or stable, Phase 13, on the left of the sandstone box drain (417), Phase 5. The bottle dump and large associated pit (261) are on the right. The inset. on the right allows for the numbering of archaeological features in the densely crowded portion of Site Subdivision 33, between 32 and 36 metres east, and 36 to 38 metres west.

17 Australian. 5 September 1825.

27

---------------------

Areas 33 & 43

"-.vJ' 1591

--" : ........ ~ ..

----o

(

E32 N 38 -.J ) 16251

( o

ElN

2m

I

I .,' I I I I I I I I I I I I,

II I I I


Phase 16. Remnant topsoil.

A test pit was dug through the original Al Soil Horizon (916, 990, 912) along the

western edge of the bottle dump (261) in Site Subdivision 43 (Figure 3.4).1 8 It

confirmed the cultivation of this soil at a date contemporary with and later than the

adjacent timber building, which was constructed on this soil surface. This does not

discredit the dating of the timber building, because the soil could have been cultivated

elsewhere at this later date, namely the 1820s to 1830s.

Phase 15. Early features.

The timber building in Phase 13 was stratigraphically below an introduced soil type, to

be described below. All the other features in Site Subdivision 33, which were in this

same stratigraphic position, were allocated to Phase 15. 19 Some of these pits and post

holes may be associated with the timber building, whereas others indicate occupation of

the site from the 1820s to the 1840s. No structure other than the timber building could

be recognised in this site subdivision.

Phase 14. Archaeological features cutting through the introduced soil

type.

The archaeological remains of the timber building, Phase 13, the early archaeological

features, Phase 15, and the original Al Soil Horizon, Phase 16, were all covered by an

introduced soil type (91, 228). This was described as a brown clay loam with fine

sand, becoming hard setting and brittle in a dry state. The soil type was not found

elsewhere on the site in any horizon of the varying soil profiles occurring there.2o This

soil is therefore foreign to the site, and must have been introduced by some means. Its

homogeneous and fmely sorted nature indicate that it may have been carried by wind or

water. No matter by which of these agents it was transported to the site, the soil type

indicates soil erosion within the local area, caused -by clearance, agriculture and other

processes of human settlement. The prevalence of the weeds of cultivation in the pollen

18 The bottle dump (261)is shown on this plan, but not the test-pit, which appears on a plan in the site records. 19 Refer to the context catalogue for a complete list of these archaeological features. 20 Soil sciences report by Roy Lawrie, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Parramatta. -

29



392

Area 51 -o 2m

Figure 3.5. Plan of Site Subdivision 51, showing the sandstone box drain and related features. The Site Subdivision may be located in Figure 3.1.

30

I . 1 I I I I I I I I I· I I I I I I I I I I

Th~ Babes in the Wood, Parramatta .

samples taken from this and related sainples confirms this interpretation of waste

. ground or degmdation of the environment.

The soil type is all the more important, because its introduction can be so closely dated.

On the adjacent archaeological site at 79 George Street, this soil was first present

between 1841 to 1842 and 1844. It overlay the up cast from the construction of the

sandstone box dmin on that site, but was sealed by a sandstone ru1;>ble and sand layer

associated with the construction of a houSe by 1844.21

The dating of this soil type is confirmed on this excavation. It is in the same

stmtigmphic relationship to the upcast from the sandstone box drain in Site Subdivision

51 (Figures 3.5 and 3.6).The dating of Phases 13, 15 and 16 all confirm this dating:


13 1&20s Timber building.


15 18~Os - 1840s Early features.

The dating of Phase 14 itself from the 1820s to the 1880s is also entirely consistent'

with its counterpart on the adjacent site. 22 It is vety unusual on an archaeological site of

the historical period in Austmlia for a soil type to be so closely datable. In this case it

indicates that all archaeological evidence below it predates the 1840s.

Figure 3.6) next page. Section 1. This section may be located on the site plan} Figure 3.1.

21 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of79 George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W. C. H. Webb Bros. 22 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of 79 George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W. C. H. Webb Bros.

31

I

-I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

N ~tree

Section 1

[IT] topsoil

upcast from drain

[[[]J A1

o A2

B

o 1m

I I I I. I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I


The archaeological features cutting this layer of introduced soil are various. In Site

Subdivision 23, they are mostly associated with the b~ck yard of a building erected on

the Smith Str~et frontage between 1836 and 1844 (Building 4,5, 6 and 20 in Figures

2.2 and 2.3. Figure 3.3). The sandstone footings ofthe rear wall of this building were

exposed, and also the flagstone floor of the oven (Building 6 in Figure 2.2). The two

outdoor WCs were excavated (24, 25) (Buildings 18 and 19 in Figure 2.2). A number

of associated rubbish pits, post-holes and other archaeological features were excavated

in this site subdivision. The fen~elines behind the house, leading to the two WCs were

visible in the archaeological trench, but time did not allow for their full excavation.

A number of the pits and post-holes in Site Subdivision 33 were allocated to this phase,

but no distinct building was recognised.23

Phase 18 - 19, bottle dump.

The bottle dump (261) for the hotel is located in Site Subdivision 43. The irregular pit

cuts through a brick feature (273), probably an outdoor WC, as already found in Site

Subdivision 23 (24,25) (Figure 3.4). The brick WC would belong to the early hotel

phase, since it must predate the bottle dump. It is not shown on the 1877 subdivision

plan. The contents of this pit and its dating are discussed in Chapter 4.

Figure 3. 7J next page. Section 2. This section may be located on the site plan, Figure 3.1.

23 Refer to the context catalogue for a complete list of these archaeological features.

33

I I I I

-I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

-210·

_ gm AHD

Section 2 -= o .... -

1m

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I


Phase 10, 11, 12A, the well.

The well (43) is located on the boundary of Site Subdivisions 35 and 45 (Figure 3.1).

T~ere are two stages of construction, the original well, and its subsequent deepening

using a narrower cylinder cut through the base of the original cut. Both well shafts

were brick lined, using bricks that are likely to have ceased production by 1830. The

well is in the former street reservation in front of the building line, and may have been

sunk after the narrowin~ ofth~ street between 1810 and 1823. This leaves a relatively

short time bracket, at most 1810 to 1830, during which the well may have been dug for

the hotel. The artifact assemblage and the dating of the well is described in Chapter 4.

Phase 5, the hotel.

Features allocated to the hotel are mainly to be found in Site Subdivisions 33 and 34.

They include a small number of post-holes, the sandstone box drain (72,417,654), a

brick lined pit (cutting 1414), and a small number of layers overlying the head of the

. sandstone drain, including cobbling, ash and charcoal, and a wooden feature (Figures

3.1 and 3.2). The latter layers are interpreted as further evidence of the 1825 fire, but

could be associated with the demolition of the hotel in the 1880s. This evidence

suggests that the sandstone box drain was an early hotel feature, an interpretation

confirmed by its relationship to the timber bu.ilding or stable in Phase 13.

Major structural evidence of the hotel building was not found, for which there are a

number of explanations. It has already been noted that the archaeological evidence has

been partially truncated by later development on the highest part of the site. This has

removed all deposits in the topsoil, and has left only those buried in subsoil or the B

Horizon. For this reason, a large timber building might therefore have left little trace.

Coupled with this truncation of the deposits, the permanent nature of the hotel buildings

must be taken into account. The fact that the hotel survived from the-1810s to the 1880s

indicates that the standard of construction was perQ1anent. It indicates timber framed

buildings, isolated to some extent from the dampness and destructive agents of the soil.

A structure similar to the timber building or stable, belonging to Phase 13, is likely, and

is similar to a large number of surviving timber buildings throughout New South

Wales. This type of building might have left little trace if the A Horizons of the soil

35

I I I I I I I I I I I I

, I I "

I I I I I


profile had been totally truncated by later development. The artifact assemblages from

Period 2 indicated that improvements were made to the hotel buildings over time.24

Phase 20, spoon drains.

The term, 'spoon drain', is used to describe the agricultural drainage trenches in Site

Subdivisions 44 and 45. They are trenches dug into the B Horizon, and filled with

stone and brick rubble. The sample excavation of these features "did not provide reliable

dating material, but it is likely that they belong to Period 2. These deposits have also

been severely truncated by the removal of the A Horizons for levelling of the site in the

20th century.25 The drains are most easily interpreted for the drainage of the yards

associated with the stables building, probably erected after the disastrous fire in 1825

(Building 14 and 27 in Figures 2.2 and 2.3). The spoon drains are stratigraphically

equivalent to the stables in Phase 21, and probably date to the 1820s.

Phase 21, house or stables.

Phase 21 is allocated to the building in Site Subdivision 44, indicated on the 1877

" subdivision plan as the stables for the hotel (Building 14 and 27 in Figures 2.2 and

2.3). It is interpreted as the stables building constructed after the disastrous fire of

1825. Numerous sandstock bricks, associated with the sandstone footings of this

building, indicaJe that it is likely to have been constructed by 1830.26 These deposits

have also been severely truncated by the removal of the A Horizons for levelling of the

. site in the 20th century.

Phase 23, Pit cut by spoon drains.

It was hoped that a pit (1576), cut by the spoon drains, would provide sufficient dating

evidence to provide a date after which the spoon drains were constructed. In the event,

the feature contained little datable evidence.

24 Chapter 4. 25 See Chapter 4 for dating. 26 Chapter 4..

36

3.3.3. Period 3, Victorian subdivision.

A small number of phases belong to Period 3, the Victorian subdivision:



8 1820s - 1890s Modem.


22 undated Ceramic pipe drainage trenches.

Phase 6, Victorian subdivision.

As indicated in Section 3.1, the archaeological evidence for Victorian subdivision of the

site was severely truncated by later ~emolition and the removal of the A Soil Horizons.

Only a small number of features were therefore able to be allocated to this phase. They

includ<? the remains of the building on the corner of Smith and George Streets, with its

associated well and two cisterns (Building 24 in Figure 2.3. The location of the well

and cisterns in indicated in Figure 3.1, Site Subdivisions 15 and 35). The footings of

the out-buildings to this house were also excavated (Building 25 in Figure 2.3. Figure

3.1, Site Subdivisions 24 and 34. Figure 3.2). Other structures include the brick coal

store (154) in Site Subdivision 33 (Figure 3.4), and the sandstone kerb stones of the

laneway from Smith Street in Site Subdivisions 14 and 24 (Figure 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and·

3.3).

Phase 8, modern.

All modem features and unstratified artifacts were .assigned to this Phase.

Phase 12, later backfill of the well.

The later backfill of the well and its interpretation is fully described in Chapter 4.

37

I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


Phase 22, ceramic pipe drainage trenches.

The drains in Site Subdivisions 44 and 45 were allocated to this phase. Their limited

excayation did not provide' sufficient dating evidence. 27 They are likely to be

contemporary with those in Phase 8.

27 Chapter 4.

38

I

• I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I


Figure 3.B. Aerial photograph of the site of the convict hut and associated features. The post-holes of the convict hut and addition are visible in the centre of the picture, while the barrel pits are on the right. The large rectangular pit behind them was interpreted as a cellar. Also visible in this photograph is the sandstone box drain, belonging to the hotel, the footings of the out-buildings and the kerbstones of the laneway of the Victorian subdivision. The photograph was taken from the north, and is therefore seen from the opposite direction of Figure 3.2. {Scale 1 metre, with 0.5 metre subdivisions. Photograph by E. Higginbotham}.

39



Figure 3.9. Detail photograph of the barrel pit (944), showing the barrel hoops in situ, as well as the shape of the base of the barrel, where the wood has rotted away. This barrel pit may be located in Figure 3.2. {Scale 0.20 metre, with 0.10 metre subdivisions. Photograph by E. Higginbotham}.

40



Figure 3.10. The portion of the sandstone box drain on Site Subdivision 33, looking towards the south section of the site. Note the sandstone lid, and the later footings (154) of the brick coal store on the right. These features may be located in Figure 3.4. {Scale 1 metre, with 0.5 metre subdivisions. Photograph by E. Higginbotham}.

41

I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I

------ ---


Figure 3.11. The bottle dump of the hotel filled the large irregular pit (261) in this photograph. The pit also cut the brick footings (273) ofan earlier outdoor Wc. The undercutting of the rear section was caused by bottle hunteIS raiding the site after work, an illegal activity which has happened on a number of archaeological sites in Parramatta. These features may be located in Figure 3.4. (Scale 1 metre, with 0.5 metre subdivisions. Photograph by E. Higginbotham).

42

I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I


4. ARTIFACT ANALYSIS.

The cataloguing of artifacts from an archaeological excavation has two prIncipal

purposes, first the dating of the artifacts, and second their functional analysis. The

dating of the artifacts is' always an important consideration, so that the chronological

sequence of the site may be determined in relation to the stratigraphic evidence. Once

this has been achieved the functional analysis of the site can proceed.

The artifacts were divided up into the following categories for cataloguing purposes:

Artifact categories. Status.

1. Aboriginal artifacts. catalogued.

2. Bone unworked. catalogued.

3. Building materials. catalogued.

4. Ceramics. catalogued.

5. Glass. catalogued.

6. Kaolin catalogued.

7. Metals. catalogued.

8.1. Miscellaneous-coins. catalogued.

8.2. Miscellaneous-other. catalogued.

9. Organics. catalogued

10. Samples. none.!

11. Shell unworked. catalogued.

12. Stone. none.2

13. Synthetics. catalogued.

4.1. Analysis of the site.

There are various procedures common to the dating and functional analysis of a site.

The archaeological contexts were grouped into a number of phases in accordance with

stratigraphic, chronological and other comparatiye evidence. The identification of

phases is in fact a significant simplification of the function of the "Rarris Matrix', but

achieves the same result. The phases are listed and described below:

1 Samples were included in the other categories where possible. For example, mortar samples were placed in building materials. 2 Stone was included in the other categories where possible. For example, aboriginal tools, building materials or miscellaneous.

43

Phase -Dating Description.

1 Natural.

2-4 1790s - 1800s Convict hut.

5 1860s - 1880s Hotel.



8 1820s - 1890s Modem.











18 - 19 1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.



22 undated Ceramic pipe drainage trenches

23 undated Pit cut by spoon drains.

The total number of contexts in each phase is indicated in the context catalogue in the

site records.3 The above phases may be placed in chronological order as follows, and

related to each his!<?rica1 period:

Period 1

Phase

2-4

Period 2.

Phase

13

16

15

3 Appendix 1.

Convict occupation.

Dating Description.

1790s - 18,OOs Convict hut.

Hotel.

Dating Description.




44



14

18 - 19

10

11

12A

5

20

21

23

Period 3.

Phase

6

8

12

22 '

Period 4.





1830s - 18708 Well, early backfill.

1860s - 1880s Hotel.





Dating Description.

1900s Victorian subdivision.

1820s - 1890s

1900s

undated

Mid 20th century.

Modem ..

Well, backfill.

Ceramic pipe drainage trenches

No phases belonged to this latest period of occupation.

Phases, which could not be dated by artifacts, were allocated to a particular period on

the basis of either stratigraphy or historical documentation.

4.2. Dating of the artifacts, and methodology.

Four categories of artifacts were catalogued and used for the purpose of dating the site.

These were building materials, ceramics, glass and miscellaneous - coins. For each

artifact type it was possible to list the frequency of fragments or whole pieces,.together

with the date range of production. These dates were listed as follows:

'From' records the date production commenced.

'T 0' records the date production ceased.

45

I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I

I I I· I


Artifact frequency was calculated on total.number of pieces found, not on any

calculation of the actual number of complete artifacts that might be represented by the

total number of pieces.

A phase may be dated by the following methods and considerations:

1. Production from dates: t1ie immediate cut-off after the peak of the graph is usually

taken' to indicate' the latest date of the phase. Often a low frequency of artifacts after the

cut-off indicates contamination or uncertainty of the artifact specialist in providing

precise dating.

2. Production to dates: the commencement of consistent numbers, rather than isolated

instances, of artifacts going out of production is usually taken to indicate the earliest

date of a phase.

3. Consumables: because most of the datable artifacts are consumable, it is expected

that they will not appear in the archaeological record more than a decade after going out

of production. Ceramics and glass, except where they become collectibles or antiques,

will fall into this category. Building materials, especially bricks, cannot be considered

as consumab1es, since they can be reused so easil:y. Thus a sandstock brick, which

goes out of production in the 1830s, may be found in much later contexts. Therefore

they are not reliable indicators of the commencement of a phase in the production to

graphs. Coins can usually be dated by their inscriptions. If not, then their date of first

production is usually known. Dates when coins and tokens go out of circulation are

also known, and can be useful in determining the date of a phase. However the

uncertainties of their usage as gaming pieces, collectibles or antiques, often renders

currency a very difficult medium to use in the dating of archaeological contexts, when

in isolation from other datable artifacts.

4. When considered together, the graphs showing the date range of production can

provide accurate dating for phases of development on a site. In this report, the closest

dating is by decade, even if the exact year of production is known. Further analysis of

the exact dates may reveal more precise dating once the graph has been completed.4 The

reliability of the dating is evaluated on the basis of sample size, the concentration of

frequencies in consecutive decades, and the conformity of the graph towards a

consistent or smooth curve. In some cases, historical documentation was used as an

additional cross check of accuracy.

4 Analysis by year was not possible because of the production date range common for the site, namely 1700 to 1990, and the restriction of the computer programme to 46 variable on the X graph axis.

46

I I I I I I I I

I

I I I I I

I I


4.3. Dating of phases.

The following pages are devoted to the analysis and interpretation of a number of

graphs indicating the frequency of artifacts against the date of production from or

production to, as defined above. For this purpose, the archaeological contexts were

grouped into the phases described above.

Phase number: 2 to 4.

Phase description: Occupation of the convict hut. Site subdivisions 24,25,34 and

35.

Size of sample: Medium

Reliability of sample: Medium.

Interpretation of sample: artifacts within this phase represent the construction and

occupation of the convict hut, between 1790s and 1800s.

Phases 2 to 4 were combined in the above analysis, since the materials from the convi~t

hut and hotel were distinguishable upon detailed inspection. In spite of this, there was

some contamination of the convict hut features with artifacts from the ensuing hotel

phase. This can be seen in the hiatus between the 1800 decade and the low frequencies

of the 1820 to 1880 date range. The contamination was present, partly because of the

techniques used to demolish the late 19th century building on the corner of Smith and

George Streets. Brick footings had been grubbed out of the ground using a ripper blade

on the back of a caterpillar or bulldozer. The effects of this may be seen in the narrow

slit trenches cut through the barrel pits, introducing recent materials into the convict hut

phase. These slit trenches were difficult to distinguish, thus making contamination

difficult to recognise. Luckily this disturbance does not seem to have affected the hut

itself, only the barrel pits on the west side of it (Figure 3.2).

47


140

120

.e 100 (J

tIl -"t tIl - 80 0

~ .J:)

E :::l 60 z

40

20

0

140

120

.e 100 (J

.! t: tIl

a 80 ~

.J:)

E :::l 60 z

40

20

0 ..


Convict hut: Production from dates.

Dating

• Building materials 11 Ceramics

Convict hut: production to dates.

• Building materials III Ceramics

.. I) J

Dating

Figures 4.1 and 4.2. Dates of production from and to for building materials and

ceramics in Phases 2 to 4, namely the occupation of the convict hut. The graphs

indicate frequency of aI1ifacts against date.

48

The Babes in the Wood, ParramaUa.

80

Hotel: production from dates 70

• Building materials

60 !1

B Ceramics

I!I Glass u .!

50 .~ -0

lli 40 ..c E :::l Z

30

20

10

0 I III .il I n

Dating

180

160 Hotel: production to dates

• Building materials 140 B Ceramics

(JJ - I!I Glass u 120 <0 -'t: <0

'0 100 lli ..c E 80 :::l Z

60

40

20

0 I 11 I

Dating

Figures 4.3 and 4.4. Dates of production from and to for building materials, ceramics

and glass in Phase 5, namely the occupation of the hotel. The graphs indicate frequency

of artifacts against date.

49

I I I ,I

I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I


Phase number: 5.

Phase description: Occupation of the Hotel. Site subdivisions 24,25,34 and 35.

Size of sample: Small


Interpretation of sample: artifacts within this phase represent occupation of the

hotel between the 1860s and 1880s. In other words, this phase is showing the later

occupation of the hotel only. As mentioned in Section 4.2, building materials cannot be

interpreted as giving a reliable commencement date for the phase, even though they

indicate the correct date historically, namely the 1820s. The flat sandstock bricks could

have remained in use for a long period, and the artifact dates are separated from the

dating of the remaining artifacts by two clear decades.

In spite of the difficulty in reliably dating the commencement of the hotel phase, the

bottle dump for the hotel, phase 18, provides a result more consistent with the historical

evidence. The two phases should perhaps be considered together.

/

50


25

20

15

10

5


Dating

Victorian sUb-division: prod uction from dates.


III Glass

70nr------------------------------------------------~

60

U 50 .!!! .~

a 40 ~

.D E ~. 30

20

10

Victorian sub-division: production to dates


Bl Ceramics

El Glass

I .. I JlJ"Lll Jl •

Dating

Figures 4.5 and 4.6. Dates of production from and to for building materials, ceramics

and glass in Phase 6, namely the Victorian subdivision. The graphs indicate frequency

of artifacts against date.

51



Phase number: 6.

Phase description: Victorian subdivision. Site subdivisions 24, 25, 34, and 35.

Size of sample: Small.

Reliability of sample: Low.

Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase represent the occupation of the

site after the demolition of the hotel and the subdivision of the site into a number of

allotments.

The small sample or number of artifacts, together with the low reliability of the dating,

are principally caused by the hiatus in·the archaeological stratification in the 1960s. At

this time the various houses were demolished, and many of the later deposits on the

higher parts of the site removed to make way for a car park.

The artifact dating tends to suggest that the remaining deposits reflect occupation

principally in the 1900 decade, with some residual material from the earlier occupation,

and the sporadic introduction of material into the archaeological record up to the 1950s.

Phase number: 7.

Phase description: Possible hotel phase. Site subdivisions 24, 25, 34, and 35.



Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase have the following date range:

Production from: 1790s to 1900s.

Production to: 1830s to 1980s.

The dates suggest either the hotel or Victorian subdivision phase. Because of this

uncertainty, the contexts could not be allotted to either phase.

52

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Phase number: 8.

Phase description: Modem. All site subdivisions.

Size of sample: Medium.


Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase have the following date mnge:



In fact, the dates for the contexts recognised as being modem may indicate that these

features are representative of the hotel or Victorian subdivision phases. The reason for

this may not be hard to find. Many of the features in this phase were stormwater or

sewemge trenches, probably providing services to the buildings of the Victorian

subdivision soon after their construction. The cut-off date of the 1890s is therefore

acceptable, with no later material being introduced into this type of deposit.

Phase number: 9.

Phase description: Uncertain date. Site subdivisions 24,25,34 and 35.



Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase have the following date mnge:

Production from: l790s to l860s.


The dates suggest either the hotel or Victorian subdivision phase. Because of this

uncertainty, the contexts could not be allotted to either phase.

53



Phase number: 10.

Phase description: Well, coptext 43, primary cut, context 44. Site subdivision 35.




Production from: 177 Os to 1840s.


The dates suggest the hotel phase for the construction of the well shaft. The flat

sandstock brick used in its construction is likely to have ceased in production by the

1830s. Items oflater date may result from the later disturbance of the well shaft, with

the insertion of an agricultural drainage pipe in its side.

Phase number: 11.

Phase description: Well, context 43, secondary cut, contexts 337 to 339. Site

subdivision 35.



Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase were undatable, except for the

brick type, similar to that in ~he primary cut. The well is likely to have been deepened

soon after its initial construction.

54


450

400

350

(/) -u 300 (0 -'f: (0 - 250 0

~ .0 E 200 ;:, z

150

100

50

0

300

250

(/) -u 200 (0 -'f: (0 -0

~ 150 .0 E ;:, z

100

50

,


Well backfill: production from dates

I I 1 1 1 I 1 Dating

11 ILL ~

Dating

• Building materials PJ Ceramics

11 Glass

n

Well backfi 11 : production to dates


11 Ceramics

11 Glass

1 J n ~

Figures 4.7 and 4.8. Dates of production from and to "for building materials, ceramics

and glass in Phase 12, namely the backfill of the well. The graphs indicate frequency of

artifacts against date.

55

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I


Phase number: 12.

Phase description: Well, context 43, backfill. Site subdivision 35.


Reliability of sample: High.

Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase represent the backfill of the well

shaft by the 1900s. The debris thrown down the well represents occupation from the

1830s onwards.

Subsequent research has shown that the base layers (333 to 336) of the backfill of the

well maybe earlier than the remainingbackfill, as indicated by Figures 4.9 and 4.10.

Phase number: 12A.

Phase description: Well, context 43, early backfill (333 to 336). Site subdivision

35.



Interpretation of sample: research has shown that the base layers (333 to 336) of

the backfill of the well may be earlier than the remaining backfill, as indicated by

Figures 4.9 and 4.10. The earlybackfill may date from the 1830s to the 1870s.

56


30

25

~ :6 20 -'f: t'O

'0 a; .0 E ::s z

(/)

U t'O -'f: t'O -0 a; .0 E ::s z

15

10

5

o

30

25

20

15

10

5


Well, early backfill: production from dates

• All artifact categories

Dating

Well, earl~ 11: production to dates

• All artifact categories

Dating

Figures 4.9 and 4.10. Dates of production from and to for all artifact categories in

Phase 12A, namely the backfi11 of the well. This graph only shows the lower or earlier

backfill of the well. The graphs indicate frequency of artifacts against date.

57


(/)

ti (\l -.~ '0 is

.D E :::I Z


20wr----------------------------------------------------~

15

10

5

Timber building: production from dates

I I I

Dating


IJI Glass

3Onr------------------------------------------------------~

25

20

15

10

5

Timber building: production to dates

I I I

Dating

• Building materials BI Ceramics

IJI Glass

Figures 4. J J and 4. J 2. Dates of production from and to for building materials,

ceramics and glass in Phase J 3, namely the occupation of the timber bUilding. The

graphs indicate frequency of artifacts against date.

58


. The Babes in the Wood, Parramatta.

Phase number: 13.

Phase description: Timber building. Site subdivisions 23 and 33.

Size of sample: Small


Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase represent the occupation of a

timber building, probably during the 1820s and 1830s. Building materials provide the

only acceptable commencement date for the phase, although unreliable for reasons

given in Section 4.2.

The timber building revealed evidence of destruction by fire. Historical documentation

indicates that part of the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1825.5 Initially the dating of the

artifacts was interpreted as precluding a correlation of this bQ.ilding with the fire, but on

closer inspection both artifact dating and the grouping of archaeological features could

be accommodated with this interpretation. Ceramics of a date later than 1820 were

found in the following contexts:

Context no.

452

1315

1735

1772

Part of

Post-hole 451

Post-hole 1536

Post-hole 1726

Post-hole 1725

The majority of these ceramics, namely blue transfer print, may now be more accurately

dated with an introduction in the 1790s.6 This reduces the number of contexts with

1830s or later material to 452 alone, being the fill of a post-hole, context 451, perhaps

associated with a later boundary fence line. The fact that all but two fragments of

ceramics, out of a total of 186 artifacts, can now be accommodated within the 1825 fire

scenario indicates a very low contamination rat~ fqr the archaeological features

associated with the timber building.

5 Australian, 5 September 1825. 6 Pers. comm: Rowan Ward, ceramics specialist, 1991. Blue transfer print was introduced in the 1790s. The two miscellaneous fragments of blue flow ware could indicate the accidental flow of the blue transfer print before the general introduction of flow ware in the 1830s.

59


SOO

450

400

IJ) 350 ...-0 \'il

~ 300 -0

~ 2SO ..Q

E :;, z 200

150

100

SO

0

1500

1400

1300

1200

IJ) 1100

~1Ooo .~ 900 -0

800 ~ ..Q

700 E :;, z 600

SOO

400

300

200

100

0


Introduced soil type: production from dates

I I h

Dating


(iJ Glass

Introduced soil types: production to dates

I . I

Dating

• Building materials 11 Ceramics (iJ Glass

I!

Figures 4.13 and 4.14. Dates of production from and to for building materials,

ceramics and glass in Phase 14, namely the features cutting through the introduced soil

type. The graphs indicate frequency of artifacts against date.

60



Phase number: 14.

Phase description: Features cutting through the introduced soil type. Site

subdivisions 23 and 33.

Size of sample: Medium


Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase predominantly represent the

occupation of the rear of the site during the hotel phase, but with some deposits

belonging to the later Victorian subdivision. The artifacts are dated from the 1820s to

the 1880s, with some later material.

61



3OWft1~------------__ ------------------------------------~

25

'0

1l 15 E ::l Z

10

5

120

110

100

-90 VJ ... u 80 t1l -"1: t1l 70 -0

~ 60 .0 E ::l

50 z

40

30

20

10

0

,

Dating

., n

Dating

Early features: prod uction from dates

-"


III Ceramics

III Glass

Early features: production to dates


• Ceramics

III Glass

n n El


ceramics and glass in Phase 15, namely the features below the introduced soil type. The

graphs indicate frequency of arti/Bcts against date.

62



Phase number: 15.

. Phase description: Features below the introduced soil type. Site subdivisions 23

and 33.

Size of sample: Small to medium

Reliability of sample: Low:

Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase are datable from the 1820s to

the 1880s. This date is unacceptable, since it is later than the commencement date for

phase 14. Phase 14 should postdate phase 15.

Closer inspection revealed a small number of contexts, which contained material later

than the 1840s:

Context no. Part of

183 128

696 695

1271 981

1321 1320

1629 1627

1674 1671

All these features were cut by or were contiguous to later features, providing an

obvious source of contamination. These contexts were therefore taken out of phase 15,

and then the dating was reassessed, the results being given below.

63



16

Early features, 14 with contamination removed:

production from dates 12

III ..- • Building materials (J

co

~ 10 III Ceramics

III Glass '0 1Ii 8 ..c E ::J Z

6

4

2

0 11

Dating

100

Early features with contamination removed:

80 production to dates III -(J

co - • Building materials ra Ceramics

'-e 60 co III Glass '0 1Ii ..c E ::J Z 40

20

n I J .1i1l

Dating

Figures 4. J 7 and 4. J 8. Dates of production from and to for building materials,

ceramics and glass in Phase J 5, namely the features below the introduced soil type.

Features contaminating this phase have been removed from the calculations. The graphs

indicate frequency of artifacts against date.

64

I I, I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I

I I I I I


Phase number: 15.

Phase description: Features below the introduced soil type, excluding

contamination. Site subdivisions 23 and 33.



Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase ar~ datable from the 1820s to

the 1840s. The exclude the contexts in phase 15, which have been contaminated by

later features.

Phase number: 16.

Phase description: Remnant Al Horizon (topsoil). Site subdivisions 23 and 33.






The dates suggest occupation of the site during the 1820s and 1830s alone. In other

words, the original topsoil in the area tested was subject to disturbance in this period.

65

'I I ,I I, t I'

I 'I I I I I I' ,I

I I I I 'I I I


Phase number: 17.

Phase description: unused phase.

Size of sample:

Reliability of sample:

Interpretation of sample:

Phase number: 18 and 19.

Phase description: Bottle dump. Site subdivisions 23 and 33.


Reliability of sample: High.

Interpretation of sample: the artifacts in this phase represent the dumping of bottles

and other debris from the 1820s to the 1880s, a range identical to the historical

documentation for the hotel phase.

66


600

500

(f) -0 400 to

~ -0

lIi 300 .0 E ::l Z

200

100

I ..

600

500 (f) -0

~ of: 400 to -0

lIi .0 E 300 ::l Z

200

100


Bottle dump: production from dates

j


> 11 Ceramics

11 Glass

f, .. ~.Il ...

Dating

Bottle dump: production to dates


11 Glass

L I. I 11 hi El

Dating


ceramics and glass in Phase 18, namely the bottle dump for the hotel. Features

contaminating this phase have been removed from the calculations. The graphs indicate

frequency of artifacts against date.

67

I I I I 'I I I: I I I I' I I I I I I' I I I I


Phase number: 20.

Phase description: Spoon drains. Site subdivision 45.






The small sample size and the relatively few datable artifacts render the spoon drains

undatable by artifacts alone. Contamination of the deposits was likely. The spoon

drains appeared to predate the footings of the stable or building in site subdivision 44.

Phase number: 21.

Phase description: House or stable. Site subdivision 44.

Size of sample: None.

Reliability of sample: Not applicable ..

Interpretation of sample: the house or stable was unexcavated. During the initial

cleaning of the site subdivision, the demolition rubble within the area of the footings

was removed. It consisted mainly of flat sandstock bricks, likely to have gone out of

production by the 1830s.

68

I I I I 'I I' I 'I I I ,I

I I I I I' I I' I I I


Phase number: 22.

Phase d'escription: Ceramic pipe drainage trenches. Site subdivision 44.



Interpretation of sample: the ceramic pipe drainage trenches were largely

unexcavated. It is likely that they are contemporary with the modem fea~res in phase

8, namely 1890s.

/

Phase number: 23.

Phase description: Pit, contexts 1752 and 1756, cut by spoon drains. Site

subdivision 45.



Interpretation of sample: the pit revealed no datab1e artifacts.

69

I I I I I I I I 'I I I

I I I I I I I' I I I


4.4. Functional analysis of the artifacts.

The cataloguing of the each artifact included a brief description of each artifact, an

object name, a function and key function, in accordance with general practice in

archaeology. There is a very extensive range of possible uses for artifacts. The key

function is therefore used to cut down on the number of functions recognised, allowing

them to be grouped into a manageable number for statistical analysis. The key functions

used in the analysis of the artifacts from this site are listed in Table 4.1.

4.5. Depositional Theory.

The graphs summarising the functional analysis of the various phases are the key to the

archaeological information and interpretation (Figures 4.7 and 4.8). In general it may

be assumed that, where samples are large, they are probably statistically reliable.

However it must be understood that the graphs do not indicate a direct relationship with

the activities that have taken place on site. 'Depositional or Post-depositional Theory'

has been developed by archaeologists to cope with this and similar situations.7 While it

is not intended to discuss this theory at length, nonetheless sufficient will be included in

the interpretive discussion to indicate that:

1. those functions which are represented by only small numbers of

artifacts are probably under-represented, and

2. other activities not represented at all in the functional analysis, could

have taken place on site.

The following equation has been used in the study of trade networks in archaeology:

Value = Distance marketed

Mass

where the distance over which objects are traded is related to the value and mass of the

objects. The greater the value, and the lesser the mass, the further an item may be

traded.

7 D. L. Clarke, ed., Models in Archaeology, Methuen, London, 1972, passim.

70


Key Function.

Aboriginal tools

Aerated water

Aerated water or Alcohol

Agriculture

Alcohol.

Alcohol, fire

Alcohol, fire or tableware

Alcohol or toilet

Barrels.

Building.

Building or furnishing

Cleaning.

Cleaning or writing

Clothing.

Clothing or haberdashery

Containers.

Currency.

Cutlery

Decorative tiles

Fastening

Food.

Food or pest

Footwear.

Fuel

Furnishing

Furnishing or kitchenware

Furnishing or tableware

Furnishing or toilet

Games.

Haberdashery.

Horticulture.


Key Function.

Horticulture or kitchenware

Hunting

Jewellery.

Kitchenware.

Kitchenware or tableware

Leatherworking.

Medical Profession

Medicine or toilet.

Metalworking

Military

Music

Packaging

Paint

Perfume

Personal

Pest

Pet or pest control

Religion

Scientific

Smoking.

Tableware.

Tableware, fire

Tableware or Toys

Timekeeping

Toilet.

Toilet or cosmetic.

Tools.

Toys.

Transport

Unidentified.

Writing.

Table 4.1. List of key functions used in the analysis of artifacts from the Babes in the

Wood, Parramatta.

71

.1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


This equation can also be adapted to the disposal of objects, as follows:

Mass = Likelihood of disposal.

Value

The greater the mass and the less the value, the greater the likelihood an item will be

disposed. In this case disposal may mean a whole range of outcomes, from burning

and dumping, to reuse or recycling. Functions where materials are predominantly

reused or recycled are likely to be under-represented in the archaeological record.

While the above equation may determine the introduction of materials into the

archaeological record, the survival of those materials in the archaeological context is

also the result of several factors, one of the most important of which is the destruction

of organic materials in all but anaerobic or anhydrous conditions. This site is significant

in that a well is one such anaerobic environment, where most organic materials can be .

shown to have survived.

While this discussion has concentrated on the artifact and its introduction and survival

in the archaeological record, there are other factors which stand between the activities

themselves and the interpretation of the archaeologist. These include the equation of the

activity to the artifact, and the ability of the archaeologist to recognise, recover and

interpret the evidence.

The above equation and other comments will be used in the following text to assist in

the interpretation of the site. /

4.6. Functional analysis of the site.

For the purpose of the functional analysis of the site, the archaeological contexts were

grouped into the following phases, as already described:

Period 1

Phase

2-4

Convict occupation.

Dating Description.

1790s - 1800s Convict hut.

72


Period 2.

Phase

13

16

15

14

18 - 19

10

11

12A

5

20

21

23

Period 3.

Phase

6

.8

12

22


Hotel.

Dating Description.






1830s - 1840s Wen, primary cut.



1860s - 1880s Hotel.





Dating

1900s

1820s - 1890s

1900s

undated

Description.


Modem.

Well, backfill.

Ceramic pipe drainage trenches.

The phases have been grouped in chronological order and also into the main historical

periods of the site. This is the most appropriate order for functional analysis. Some of

the phases will not be included in this analysis, either because they cannot be securely

dated, because they are contaminated by other deposits, or alternatively because the

samples are too small. The following phases have been excluded on the basis of these

criteria:


1 Natural.


8 1820s - 1890s Modem.





73






22 undated Ceramic pipe drainage trenches

23 undated Pit cut by spoon drains.

The following sections are devoted to the analysis and interpretation of a number of

graphs indicating the frequency of artifacts against the range of key functions in each

phase. The total range of key functions was given in Table 4.1.

4.6.1. Period 1. Convict occupation: assemblage.

Phase: 2 - 4. Convict hut.

Number of key functions: 11.

Description of key functions: the following key functions were recognised in this

phase:

Barrels. This key function comprised solely of fragments of barrel

hoop, principally from the barrel pits.

Building. This key function principally includes fragments of flat

sandstock brick, which may have been produced in New South Wales

from the begit.mings of settlement to the 1820s or 1830s. The remaining

building materials include iron spikes and nails, and a few wooden

fragments.

BUilding of furnishing. This key function comprises solely of small

fragments of window glass.

Food. The key function of food includes bone and shell. The bone is

mostly unidentified, and appears under that key function. Sheep is the

only species identified. Rock oyster is the only species of shellfish

identified.

74



Figure 4.21. The frequency of key functions in Phases 2 - 4, the occupation of the

convict hut ..

Food or pest. This key function is represented by a single bone, namely

the scapula of a rabbit. This find would be very important, if it can be

confirmed, because it is li>elieved that rabbits were only introduced into

South Australia in the 1850s. The context (1415), in which it was

found, belongs to a pit (1414), itself cut by a more recent feature. There

is some possibility of contamination, although no other contamination

has been recognised from this context or feature as a whole.

Horticulture or kitchenware. This key function is represented by lead

glazed or unglazed earthenware bowl fragments, typical of those

produced in New South Wales between 1791 and the 1830s. They

could have been used in food preparation, dairy processing or in

horticulture. Their coarse manufacture suggests that the.r were utilitarian

and not likely to be tableware.

Kitchenware. This key function comprises another one fragment of

unglazed earthenware, similar to that in the above key function.

75

I I I I I I I I I

!I



Smoking. This key function is represented by a number of clay tobacco

pipes, made of china clay or kaolin.

Tableware. This key function is represented by ceramics, mainly cups,

saucers, bowls and plates. The wares were Blue Shell Edge Edgeware,

'Cafe Bongo', Creamware or Mocha Ware, Plain White Glazed, Blue

Transfer Print 'Willow Pattern' , and Chinese Provincial, the latter being

imported into New South Wales in the 1790s to 1830s.

Tableware, fire. This key function is represented by one fragmentary

pIece of glass tableware, showing evidence of being exposed to extreme

heat.

4.6.2.

Unidentified. This key function is represented by unidentified artifacts

in the categories of bone unworked, ceramics, metals and shell

unworked. The ceramics is composed of fragments of white glazed

wares, and Chinese or other Asian imports, all probably tab1ewares.

The metals include band fragments, possibly more evidence of barrels

on site. The bone and shell probably represent food debris.

Period 1. Convict occupation: interpretation.

One of the most surprising features of the assemblage from Phases 2 to 4 of the convict

hut, or Period 1, is its similarity to the assemblage recovered from the excavation of

another convict hut on George Street, Parramatta in 1985.8 The 1985 excavations

revealed an equally restricted range of key functions and was also limited to a small

number of artifacts. The assemblage from the Prospect site has been catalogued in

more detail, providing an opportunity for more in depth interpretation.

While evidence of reuse or refurbishment of the convict huts was found on both sites, it

was not possible in this case to differentiate the assemblage into any phases of

construction, refurbishment, repair or use. As a result Phases 2 to 4 may represent both

convict and subsequent free occupation of the same hut.

8 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 'The excavation of buildings in the early township of Parramatta, New South Wales, 1790 - 1820s', AJHA Vo!. 5: 3-20.

76



The most important feature of the assemblage was its restricted range and quantity of

artifacts. This is certainly expected for convict occupation, but not necessarily for

subsequent free occupation.

For example, in 1792 George Thompson recorded the living conditions of the

convicts:

'At night they are placed in a hut; perhaps fourteen, sixteen, or eighteen

together (with one woman, whose duty is to keep it clean and provide

victuals for the men while at work), without the comfort of either beds

or blankets, unless they take them from the ship they come out in, or are

rich enough to purchase these when they come on shore. They have

neither bowl, plate, spoon, or knife but what they make of the green

wood of this country, only one small iron pot being allowed to dress

their poor allowance of meat, rice, etc.;' 9

Analysis of the assemblage reveals the small number of items with which the convicts

could have prepared their food. In the 1985 excavation, the kitchen and tablewares

were restricted to the later or free occupation of the hut. If this is also the case here,

then it represents an even more mean and deprived existence for the convicts,l°

However the above quotation reveals an important consideration for the archaeologist,

namely, how to reconstruct the total complement of artifacts available to the convicts.

Organics will not survive except in waterlogged or anaerobic conditions, none of which

were available for the relevant phases. Therefore those items made 'of the green wood

of this country' will not survive. The iron pot used in food prepa~tion was not found,

because it may have been recycled or melted down as scrap.

Other factors may have conspired to deprive the archaeologist of evidence of food

consumption. For example, salt pork, known to have been a staple part of the convict

diet, was boned before preservation in brine. Therefore the absence of pig bones does

not indicate the absence of the consumption of ·salt pork, beef or other meat. The

butcher marks on the bones that do survive indicate the preparation of soups and stews,

typical of the type of food that could be prepared in the iron pots mentioned above. 11

9 HRNSW. Vol.l. Pt,2: 795. 10 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 'The excavation of buildings in the early township of Parramatta, New South Wales, 1790 - 1820s', AJHA. Vol. 5: 3-20. 11 Specialist report on bone unworked by Dominic Steele. Site Records.

77

I I I I I I I I I I I I· I I I I I I I I I


The absence of the key function of alcohol is also surprising when hard liquor was the

'currency' of the early colony. It may partly be explained by the need to recycle the

scarce number of bottles available in the penal colony.

Some further insight into the other materials at the disposal of the convicts is provided

by a rare description of the convict huts themselves:

'It contains at present 32 houses completed, of 24 feet by 12 each, on a

ground floor only, built of wattles plaistered with clay, and thatched.

Each house is divided into two rooms, in one of which is a fire place

and a brick chimney.' 12

The above information indicates the most likely source of the numerous brick

fragments, and the grey clay in the vicinity of the hut was interpreted as remains of the

daub. But almost exclusively the materials available to the convicts were locally

procured, namely the clay, thatch and wood. Of the other building materials, the

window glass, the nails and spikes, all these items were restricted to the later

occupation of the convict hut, excavated in 1985.13

In conclusion, the assemblage from Phases 2 to 4, the convict hut, indicate a restricted

set of artifacts,both in range of function, quality and quantity. This level of access to

goods and services is predicted among the lowest classes of persons in the penal

colony. These harsh conditions are present in no other phase of European urban

settlement in Australia. The archaeological evidence indicates more precisely than any

historical documentation the type of existence, which the convict had to endure.

4.6.3. Period 2. Hotel: assemblage.

Period 2, the occupation of the hotel, is represented by a number of phases. They will

be considered in the following chronological order:

Phase

13

Dating

1820s

Description.

Timber building.

12 W. Tench. 1979. Sydney's First Four Years. Facsimile. Library of Australian History, Sydney: 195-196. 13 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 'The excavation of buildings in the early township of Parramatta, New South Wales, 1790 - 1820s', AlHA. Vol. 5: 3-20.

78



15

14

18 - 19

12A

5

1820s - 1840s

1820s - 1880s

1820s - 1880s

1830s - 1870s

1860s - 1880s

Phase: 13. Timber building.


Early features.

Feat~res cutting through introduced soil type.

Bottle dump.

Well, earlybackfill.

Hotel.


phase:

Alcohol. This key function was represented by two glass fragments,

one a case gin, the other a beer or wine bottle.

Building. This key function was represented by flat sandstock bricks, of

a type manufactured between 1790 and the 1830s, and a number of iron

nails.

Building or furnishing. This key function was represented by 3

fragments of window glass.

Clothing or haberdashery. This key function was represented by a single

button.

Containers. This key function was represented by a single sherd oflead

glazed earthenware, the remainder being salt glazed stoneware sherds.

Food. This key function was represented by the categories of bone

unworked, glass and shell unworked. The glass comprised a single

fragment of a pickle or chutney bottle. Bone unworked included 5

sheep, 1 cattle and 1 pig bone, while shell unworked comprised 3

Sydney rock oysters, 4 Sydney cockles, and 1 Sydney mud whelk.

79



8Or------------------------------------------------------, Timber .building

60 f/J t) (IS

~ 40 -0 0 z

20

C\I (")

0 15 .J::. 0 U «

Cl Cl >- f/J "'0 Q) Cl Q) "'0 c: c: ~ 15 0 '"- c: to Q)

:2 :c 0 (IS :.il ;;:: .J::. c: 3:: 3:: "5 f/J f/J "iij u... c: 0 Q) "i§

a:l "2: (IS - Q) E ::0 Q) '"- ~ c: .J::. (I) "'0 .2 ~ 0 (IS

u u I- "e ~ .0 - :::> (IS :.;z Cl .c c: l:s :2 Cl "5 c:

a:l E 15 U

Key functions

Figure 4.22. The frequency of key functions in Phase 13, the occupation of the timber

building.

Kitchenware. This key function was represented by three fragments of

lead glazed earthenware, typical of that produced between 1791 and the

1830s. There were two bowl fragments and one saucer or plate.

Smoking. This key function was represented by clay tobacco pipes.

Tableware.This key function was represented by a single fragment of

glass tableware, the remainder by ceramics afvarious wares, namely,

Chinese Provincial, Black, Blue, Green and Red Transfer Print ,

Dipped and Annular Cafe Bongo, Flow, Pearlware, Green Glazed,

White Glazed, Yellow Glazed, and Red Hand Painted wares. Shapes

included bowls, body sherds, cups, saucers, egg cups, tureens, sauce

boats, lids, and serving dishes and plates.

Unidentified. This key function was represented by unidentified bone

and shell fragments, by ceramics, including porcelain, and white glazed

earthenware, and by miscellaneous iron fragments.

80

Early features 200

(IJ

~ -'~ '0 100 o z

0 "0 .c 0 u «

Cl Cl Cl c: c: c: 32 :.c '2 '5 (f) <0

co '2 ... U :::J -Is Ol c: '0 'S m

C'J

:>. (f) "'0 ~ ~ 0 le 0 .c c: ~ (f) '(6 u.. c: <0 'E "'0 .c ~ 0

U u .0 ,t: <0 ~ .c Is Cl c: :c 0 U

Key functions

...- N

 Cl "0 Cl C5 ... ... c: ... .§ <0 - :it <0 ~ ~ c: ~ ';: 0 0 'l':: :i: J5 u E J5 - Cl) "0 <0 (IJ <0 '2 - I-

Is Cl. ::::> Is ... -<0 ~ a.. c: .c u ,t: :::.c:

Figure 4.23. The frequency of key functions in Phase l5, namely early features below

the introduced soil type.

Phase: 15. early features below the introduced soil type.



phase:

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demi johns, and

stout bottles, beer or wine bottles, case gins, and stemmed glassware.

Building. This key function is represented by flat sandstock bricks,

other sandstocks, slate roofing tiles. Metals include a door latch, nails

and spikes.

Building or furnishing. This key function is represented by window

glass.

81



Cleaning. This key function is represented by stoneware blacking

bottles.

Clothing or haberdashery. This key function is represented by buttons.

Containers. This key function is represented by miscellaneous

stoneware sherds, and by a metal rim.

Food. This key function is represented by chicken, cow, and sheep

bone. Also present is a glass pickle or chutney bottle. Shell unworked

includes rock oysters, Sydney cockles, and Sydney mud whelks.

Kitchenware. This key function is represe!lted by jars, jugs and bowls

in lead glazed earthenware.

Pet or pest control. This key function is represented by cat bone.

Smoking. This key function is represented by tobacco pipes, made of

kaolin or china clay.

Tableware. This key function is represented by bases, body sherds,

bowls, cups, handles, miscellaneous sherds, plates and rims in a variety

of wares.

Unidentified. This key function is represented by bone unworked,

probably food debris, by ceramics, probably tableware, by metals,

being band and sheet fragments, and by shell unworked, again probably

food debris.

Writing. This key function is represented by one slate pencil.

82

3000

!h2000 ti ~ 16 '0 o 2 1000

0> r--- N ON

I" .-:.

I"-,... C") ,...

.., .., N to 0> .., 11.., C\I~

N~N'r" N';!.'<t.,....

Introduced soil type ~ N

C\I to l"-

'<t 0

'<t~ '<t ~O> C\I I"- ~ lB N <Do '<t~~tOC")N..,'<tNI"-~~~C").,....r---,...,...<DN~ to,... ..... tON N

-

Key functions

Figure 4.24. The frequency of key functions in Phase 14, namely features cutting

through or contemporary with the introduced soil type.

Phase: 14. Features cutting through or contemporary with the introduced soil type.


Description of-key functions: the following key functions were recognised in this

phase:

Aboriginal tools. This key function included two aboriginal objects, one

a broken tool, the other a possible tool made from glass.

Aerated water. This key function was represented principally by

stoneware ginger beer bottles, but included other glass aerated water

bottles.

Alcohol. This key function was represented by stoneware demi johns

and stout bottles, but predominantly by glass, including case gins,

83

I I I I I I I I

. 1 I

I I I' I I .1 I I I


skittles, beer or wine, and numerous other bottles. Large numbers of

tumblers and stemware were also present, along with decanters.

Barrels. This key function is represented by a single fragment of barrel

hoop.

Building. Th~s key function includes one example of a sandstock

roofing tile with lead glaze, an unusual combination. It is predominantly

represented by flat sandstock bricks, but inciudes sandstocks with

rectangular frogs, others imprinted with 'WC', being William Cater,

and only 'a few dry pressed bricks from the end of the phase. Some

sandstock paving tiles are present. Roofing slate fragments are also

found, together with some cement, salt glazed or unglazed pipes, and

Marseilles tile. In metals, nails and spikes are predominant, while

hinges, roofing nails and washer.s, a gUttering bracket, and drain cover

were found. In organics, several wooden fragments were found .

Building or furnishing. This key function is represented by plate glass,

and also window or mirror glass. The remainder comprises nails, which

could have been used in furnishing or building.

Cleaning. This key function is represented by blacking bottles.

Cleaning or writing. This key function is represented by a blacking or

ink bottle.

Clothing. This key function is represented by cloth or cotton fabric.

Clothing or haberdashery. This key function is represented by buttons

of various types.

Containers. This key function is represented by numerous sherds of

stoneware containers, to which a specific function is n~t attributed. The

remainder comprises metal containers or cans, except for one cork

stopper.

Currency. This key function is represented by two coins, one holed.

84

I ,I I I'

I I' I' I' t I I I I I I ,I

I I I I I


Cutlery. This key function includes teaspoons, forks and knives.

Decorative tiles. This key function includes brown glazed and blue

transfer print wall tiles.

Fastening. This key function is represented by a single eyelet.

Food. This key function is represented by ceramics, glass, metals, bone

unworked, shell unworked and organics. Ceramics is predominantly

represented by ginger jars or paste jars, glass by oil, vi~egar, pickle

chutney and other bottles and closures, and metals by one preserved fish

tin. Organics is represented solely by fruit stones. Bone is represented

by sheep, cow, pig, and chicken, with small numbers of turkey. Shell is

represented by mud oysters, rock oysters, Sydney cockles and Sydney

mud whelks.

Food or pest. This key function is represented solely by rabbit bones.

Footwear. This key function is represented by leather shoe components.

Furnishing. This key function is represented by ceramics, glass, metals

and miscellaneous. Ceramics include ornamental baskets, body sherds,

bowls, candelabra, handles, jars, knobs, statuettes, and vases. Glass

includes parts of chandelier, and lamps. Metals include wall hooks,

lamp mechanism, and an iron, perhaps better placed under another key

function. Miscellaneous include statuettes and a holland blind spring.

Furnishing or kitchenware. This key function is represented by

stoneware jugs.

Furnishing or tableware. This key function is represented by ceramic

bowl and saucer, candle stick holder, cup, j'q.g and large platter.

Furnishing of toilet. This key function is represented by jugs.

Games. This key function is represented by game counters.

Haberdashery. This key function is represented by metal thimbles.

85

I I I ,I

I I I 'I f ,I

I I I I ,I' ,I

I ,I

I I. I


Horticulture. This key functi~n is represented by terracotta flower pots,

yellow or brown glazed planters and an iron rake head.

Horticulture of kitchenware. This key function is represented by lead

glazed earthenware bowls.

Jewellery. This key function is represented by a brooch, chains,

pendant, another object and a ring.

Kitchenware. This key function is represented by ceramics, including

basins, body sherds, bowls, cups, jars, jugs, lids, saucers or plates,

storage jars and strainers. The majority is lead glazed earthenware, but it

includes creamware, pearlware, white glazed, hand painted and Cafe

Bongo. An iron bowl or dish is also present.

Medical profession. This key function is represented by an etched glass

body fragment and a slide, both for laboratory work.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by a stoneware jar

and ointment container lid, and by numerous glass bottles.

Metalworking. This key function is represented by bronze or copper

type slag.

Music. This key function is represented by part of a harmonica.

Packaging. This key function is represented by textile.

Paint. This key function is represented by a tin coated with paint.

Perfume. This key function is represented by glass perfume bottles.

Personal. This key function is represented by spectacles, a purse clasp,

umbrella parts and a penknife.

Pest. This key function is represented by rodent bones.

Scientific. This key function is represented by a thermometer scale.

86

I I, t I I I I '1

''I I I I I, ,1 ,I

I I I' t I

The Babes in the W?od, Parramatta.

Smoking. This key function is represented by tobacco pipes made of


Tableware. This key function is represented by a wide range of

ceramics, the various shapes including bases, body sherds, bowls,

bread and butter plates, cups, cup handles, dinner plates, dishes, egg

cups, handles, jugs, lids, milk jugs, miscellaneous sherds, plates,

platters, poes, rims, saucers, serVing bowls, dishes and plates, spouts,

strap handles, tankards, tea pots, and tureens.

Tableware or furnishing. This key function should read furnishing or

tableware.

Timekeeping. This key function is represented by a clock bracket or

frame.

Toilet. This key function is' represented by ewers, jars, pitchers, and

poes in ceramics, and by a brush in organics.

Tools. This key function is represented by a file, handle, and tool

socket.

Toys. This key function is represented by miniature tea sets, marbles,

porcelain doll parts and a whistle.

Transport. This key function is represented by horse bone, and in

metals by harness buckles, horseshoes, stirrups and parts of wheels.

Horse powered transport is exclusively indicated.

Unidentified. This key function includes large quantities of bone

unworked, prob,~bly food debris, large quantities of ceramics, probably

tablewares, large quantities of metal hand, bar, sheet, and wire

fragments, the latter being very difficult to assign a function.

Writing. This key function is represented by writing board slates,

stoneware ink bottles and jars, glass bottles, and slate pencils.

87

3000

(JJ ~ ~ 2000 ~ 'i '0 o z1000

o

N ID ID N

Key functions

Bottle dump

"<t' N L.O ..-

Figure 4.25. The frequency of key functions in Phase 18 and 19, the bottle dump.

Phase: 18 and 19. Bottle dump.



phase:

Aerated water. This key function is represented by stoneware ginger

beer bottles and other glass bottles and stoppers.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demi johns,

and other glass bottles and stoppers.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demi johns,

and other glass bottles and stoppers.

88

I I "I

·1 I I I I

11

I I I , I . 1 I I, .1 f I

I1


Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demijohns, and

stout bottles. Glass includes beer or wine bottles, other bottles, case

gins or schnapps, decanters, skittles, stemmed glassware, and tumbles.

Barrels. This key function is represented by a barrel tap.

Building. This key function is represented by flat sandstock bricks,

Marseilles tiles, sandstock roofing tiles, sandstocks with rectangular

frogs, others with the WC stamp ofWilliam Cater, slate and other tiles.

Metals include door hinges, escutcheon plate, locks, masonry hooks,

nails, padlock, roofing nails, spikes, and washers.

Building or furnishing. This key function includes window or mirror

glass, and nails used in building or furnishings.


Cleaning or writing. this key function is represented by ink or blacking

bottles.

Clothing. This key function is represented by a belt buckle.


Containers. This key function is represented by stoneware bottles or

jars, earthenware pots or jars, and miscellaneous stoneware sherds. All

other items are metal cans or containers .

Decorative tiles. This key function is represented by brown or blue

transfer print wall tiles.

Fastening. This key function is represented py a single eyelet.

Food. This key function is represented by bone unworked, ceramics,

glass, metals and shell unworked. Bone includes chicken. cow, pig,

sheep, and turkey. Ceramics included Chinese or Asian ginger jars,

stoneware jars, paste jars, and salt jars. Glass included oil, vinegar,

pickle, chutney and sauce bottles and closures. Metals included a single

89

I I I ,I

I I I I I

1"1 'I I 'I I I ,I

I I I I

·1


preserved food can. Shell included dog cockle, limpet, mud oyster, rock

oyster, Sydney cockle and Sydney mud whelk.

Food or pest. This key function included the bone of rabbit.

Footwear. This key function included various parts of shoes.

Furnishing. This key function is represented by bowls, figurines, jugs,

vases in various ceramics. Glass included bases, jardiniers fragments

and lamp cover. Metals included a candle holder and various lamp parts.

Furnishing or kitchenware. This key function is represented by an

earthenware lid.

Furnishing or tableware. This key function is represented by vitreous

stoneware bowl fragments.

Haberdashery. This key function is represented by scissors and pins.

Horticulture This key function is represented by terracotta flower and

garden pots, and an iron rake head.

Jewellery. This key function is represented by a clasp and a brooch.

. Kitchenware. This key function is represented by basins, body sherds,

bowls, handles, jars, lids, and a possible mug, in a variety of ceramic

wares. Metals include bowls and lids.

Kitchenware or tableware. This key function includes various lead

glazed items.

Medical profession. This key function is represented by a glass syringe.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by various glass

bottles.

Metalworking. This key function is represented by copper based slag.

Perfume. This key function is represented by a perfu'me bottle.

90

I I ,I

I I I I I

" I I I , I I I I I I I I


Pet or pest control. This key function is represented by the bones of a

cat.



Tableware. This key function is represented by ceramics, glass, metals,

and synthetics. Ceramics include a large variety of wares in the

following shapes; bases, basins, body sherds, bowls, bread and butter

plates, cups, cup handle, dinner plates, dishes, egg cup, handles, jugs,

miscellaneous sherds, plates, platters, rims, saucers, serving dishes and

plates, spouts, tankard, teapots, and tureen. Glass includes only a few

fragments. Metals and synthetics include only serviette rings.

Toilet. This key function includes ceramic jars, and a poe, a metal

container, and a comb.

Tools. This key function includes iron axe heads, a blade with a tang,

and two files.

Toys. This key function includes a marble and a miniature bowl.

Transport. This key function is restricted to horse transport, including

horse bone, horseshoes and stirrups.

Unidentified. This key function is represented. by bone unworked,

probablY mostly food debris, ceramics, probably mostly tableware,

metals, being band, rod and sheet and other fragments, shell unworked,

probably mostly food debris, and synthetics.

Writing. This key function is represented by stoneware ink bottles, a

glass bottle, and slate pencils.

91

250

200

(/)

~ 150

~ a 100 0 z

50

0

"C G> -«I Ir> «

U) l"-T""

0'1 C :.c (5 U


Well, early backfill

(Y) .... C\I ~

(/) ::::.- Cl) - 0'1 0'1 Cl) (/) (/) ~ "U Cl) Cl) ~ a, '5 c c ~ (5 >. Cl)

E .r::. ~ 'Cl :.it ~ 0 ~ g. ~ «I (/) - «I 0 I-c l5 Cl) c C <-' «I Cl) .:J. E Zi «I III

"U U .... .r::. G> «I (J) «I .... "U Cl) U c 0.. I- I- 'e .0 .1:: 'u ::J (0 ~ ::I: '6

Cl)

:::E

Key functions

Figure 4.26. The frequency of key functions in Phase l2A, the early backfill of the

well.

Phase: 12A. Early backfill of the well ..



phase:


beer bottles and other glass bottles.

Agriculture. This key function is represented by part of a plough.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demi johns and

gin bottles, and by beer or wine bottles in glass. Metals include a pewter

drinks measure.

Barrels. This key function is represented by barrel hoop.

92

I I I I I I I , I I I I I I I I I I I I

'"


BUilding. This key function is represented by salt glazed drain pipes,

flat sandstock bricks, sandstock bricks with a rectangular frog, roofing

slate, hinges, masonry hooks, nails, and wooden demolition debris.

Building or furnishing. This key function is represented by window or

mirror glass, and by nails, which could have been used in building or

furnishing.

Cleaning or writing. This key function.is represented by stoneware ink

or blacking bottles.

Clothing. This key function is represented by various cloth fragments.



stoneware sherds, and by various fragments of metal containers,

Currency. This key function is represented by a token.

Cutlery. This key function is represented by a spoon.

Food. This key function is represented by bone unworked, glass and

organics. Bone includes chicken, cow, pig and sheep. Glass includes a

sauce bottle. Organics includes fruit stones.

Footwear. This key function includes parts ofleather shoes.

Games. This key function is represented by a chessman and part of a

rubber ball.

Haberdashery. This key function is represe~ted by scissors.

Kitchenware. This key function is represented by iron meathooks.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by glass bottles.

Packaging. This key function is represented by textile.

93

-I· I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I




Tableware. This key function is represented by cups, miscellaneous

sherds, and plates of various ceramic wares.

Tools. This key function is represented by a hammer head, a grappling

hook, and a spanner.

Transport. This key function is represented by horseshoes.


probably mostly food debris, ceramics, probably mostly tablewares,

metals, including bana, bar, plate, ring, rod, sheet and wire fragments,

organics, being wood and leather debris, and shell unworked, probably

mostly food debris.

94

400 0 N Hotel M

300 !Il

~ '~ 200 -0 0 z

100

0 T"" T"" 1.0 (') '<:t

0 lri (5 Cl >. !Il :>. :>. "0 le Cl >. \1) \1) Cl

.c. c lri lri (,) ID 0 c lri ..... ~ c - \1) ::J 1'0 0 '2 .c. c ~ ;; ~ 3: :.c .c. ~ 3:

'';:::

3: u 1'0 !Il '(6 (J) (J) ::J C

~ I: ::J 0 C ::J ~ "0 \1) 1'0 - ::J U '2 1'0 (,) \1) :r: \1) U "0 C 0 .... "0 '';::: .c.

lri 0 U lL. ::J lri ~ \1) - (,) C 1'0 U lL. -lri ~ ..0 ..0 :r: :il ~ 'u 1'0 1'0 "0 « Cl .c. I ~ \1)

c ~ ~ \1)

~ \1) ~

en 5 3: '5 c ~

c CC :.c ::J \1)

0 (,) .c. '';::: u -U ~ :i2 :r:

Key functions

Figure 4.27. The frequency of key functions in Phase 5, the hotel.

Phase: 5. Hotel..



phase:


beer bottles and other glass bottles.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware demi john and

stout bottles. Glass includes beer or wine bottles, case gins 0 r

schnapps, skittles, whisky or brandy and other bottles. Stemmed

glassware is also found.

Building, This key function is represented by drain pipes, flat sandstock

bricks, Marseilles tiles, sandstocks with a rectangular frog, others with

95



the WC stamp for William Cater, and slate roofing tiles. Metals include

hinges, nails, and spikes.


mirror glass, and nails, which could be used in building or furnishing.

Cleaning. This key function is represented by bl,\-cking bottles.


Containers. This key function is represented by stoneware bottles or

jars, and miscellaneous sherds. Metals include a small number of can or

other container fragments.

Currency. This key function includes two coins.

Cutlery. This key function is represented by a teaspoon and knife

handle.


glass, and shell unworked. Bone includes chicken, cow, fish, pig, and

sheep. Ceramics includes Chinese ginger jars. Glass includes oil,

vinegar, pickle, chutney and other bottles and closures. Shell unworked

includes rock oyster, scallop, Sydney cockle, and Sydney mud whelk.

Footwear. This key function is represented by v'!rious parts of leather

shoes.

Furnishing. This key function is represented by a porcelain figurine and

ajar.

Haberdashery. This key function is represented by pins.

Horticulture. This key function is represented by terracotta flower and

garden pots.

Horticulture or kitchenware. This key function is represented by bowls,

either unglazed or lead glazed earthenware.

96



Hunting. This key function is represented by a lead bullet.

Kitchenware. This key function is represented by bowls and a'possible

saucer in pearlware, Provincial Chinese porcelain and unglazed

earthenware.

Kitchenware. This key function is represented by a single pearlware

bowl.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by stoneware

ointment jars, and glass bottles.




"

Tableware. This key function is represented by body sherds, bowls,

cups, handles, jugs, lids, miscellaneous sherds, plates, saucers, serving

dishes and plates, and teapots.

Tools. This key function is represented by an iron bar, possibly'part of

a tool.

Toys. This key function is represented by marbles.


probably mostly food debris, ceramics, probably mostly tableware,

metals, being band, rod and sheet and other fragments, and shell

unworked, probably mostly food debris.

Writing. This key function is represented by slate writing tablets.

97



4.6.4. Period 2. Hotel: interpretation.

The interpretation of the phases in Period 2, representing th~ occupation of the

'Hawkesbury Settler', or 'Babes in the Wood' Hotel may be approached from the

general and overall view to the more detailed analysis of the artifacts' themselves.

The occupation of the hotel was divided up into a number of phases, of which the

following were analysed in detail:





18 - 19 1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.


5 1860s - 1880s Hotel.

The number of key functions recognised in each phase varied:

Phase Dating Number of key functions.

13 1820s 10.

15 1820s :- 1840s 14.

14 1820s - 1880s 49.

18 - 19 1820s - 1880s 36.

12A 1830s - 1870s 25.

5 1860s - 1880s 25.

This variation maybe interpreted in a variety of ways, including:

1. date,

2. date range,

3. location within site,

4. sample size,

5. type of deposits,

6. condition of deposits.

For example, Phases 13 and 15 represent the earliest phases associated with the hotel,

dating to the 1820s and 1820s to 1840s respectively. It is considered that the small

98



number of key functions is predominantly a result of their early date and short date

range.

All the later phases witnessing occupation to the 1870s and 1880s have a broader range

of key functions, although Phases 12A and 5 may have fewer key functions, because

of smaller sample sizes. The early backfill of the well formed only a small portion of

the backfill, the majority of the shaft being infilled by the 1900s. The near absence of

structural deposits, associated with the hotel building itself, indicate their removal "by

later development and disturbance of the site. This may have been a major factor

leading to a curtailment in the range and quantity of artifacts in Phase 5.

In Period 1, it was concluded that the limited number and range of key functions

confirmed the poverty of the convict occupants, but the same cannot be argued for the

early phases of Period 2, because of historical evidence to the contrary. The town

allotment was granted in 1823 on the grounds that £1000 had been spent on

improvements to the hote1. 14 O"ther reasons for the limited range of key functions

should be considered before discounting:

1. the deposits forming Phases 13 and 15 were located at the rear of the

hotel, and are likely to have been a primary location for the deposition of

artifacts.

2. in both phases the sample was small to medium, perhaps a legitimate

cause of the restricted range of key functions.

3. the range and condition of deposits were similar to that in other

phases, and are therefore unlikely to be a major factor in this case.

These explanations are considered not to be satisfactory, and lead to the question

whether or not New South Wales as a whole was still experiencing difficulties in

meeting the needs of the population for marketed or imported goods. This is a research

question beyond the scope of this report, but it" will deserve study ~.md confirmation

from both historical research and archaeological excavation.

In the later phases of the hotel, there is a broader range of key functions, indicating that

the occupants of the site has access to a similarly wide range of goods and services

between the 1820s and 1880s. The assemblages from these phases indicate a site

operating within a fully fledged market economy. As indicated above, Phases 5 and

14 E. Higginbotham. 1988. Historical and archaeological analysis of the Christian Science Church, Smith Street, Parramatta. Calgaro and Vecchia. P. 9.

" 99



12A have a more restricted range of key functions, because of small sample size or

condition of the archaeological deposits, not because they reflect an economy different

from the other later hotel phases.

Even where the range of key functions is extensive, there are significant problems in

reconstructing the range of activities characteristic of the site, for the reasons outlined in

Section 4.5 on Depositional Theory. Artifact categories or resear~h themes associated

with Period 2 will therefore be discussed in relation to the evidence available for

interpretation.

Aboriginal tools. Two stone Aboriginal artifacts, and one worked piece of glass

were found on the site, two items in Phase 14, the other in a context that could not be

allotted to any phase. Specialist analysis indicated that the stone artifacts could represent

pre-European occupation by Aborigines, or contact with the early settlers. The glass

artifact would demonstrate a contact site, were it not for the probability that the glass

has been accidentally flaked, or damaged by persons other than Aborigines. A small

number of oyster shells with red ochre staining were found on the site. These are of

possible Ab9riginal association, but the staining may also be fortuitous. Other historic

sites in Parramatta have revealed small quantities of Aboriginal artifacts, consistent with

the preferred location of Aboriginal activities on the alluvial plain of the Parramatta

River, at a date pri~r to European contact. 15

Building. Building materials indicate improvements and repairs during the whole

period of occupation, not only in the dating of the moveable artifacts, but also in the

range of construction materials in the structural elements of the hotel that survive. The

well documented trend from local and hand-made production to mass produced and

imported building materials in the latter part of the 19th century is confirmed by the

archaeological evidence. The presence of Marseilles tiles in several of the later phases

indicate construction, repair or extensions right up to the 1880s and the demolition of

the hotel. Decorative tiles are found in a number of contexts associated with the hotel,

and may have been used as wall tiles or in the surrounds of cast iron grates or

fireplaces. The large numbers of blacking bottles indicate the cleaning of cast iron and

perhaps leather items. Given that some of the blacking will have been used on cast iron

pieces, then the presence of stoves and fireplaces is indicated. Building maintenance

and repair is perhaps shown by the range of tools found in Period 2 contexts.

15 Specialist Report by DomiI).ic Steele, to be found in the site records.

100



Health and sanitation. The presence of ceramic pipes show improvements in

sanitation and drainage, as do items like guttering brackets. The presence of rodent

bones indicate that methods of rubbish disposal encouraged the spread' of these pests.

The use of the site as a hotel. There is clear historical documentation that the

'Hawkesbury Settler', later renamed the 'Babes in the Wood' Hotel, occupied the site

from the 1810s to the 1880s.16 The artifactual evidence for the hotel is ambiguous, but

may be indicated by the key functions of aerated water, alc:;ohol, barrels, containers,

kitchenware, medicine or toilet, smoking, tableware, and toilet. Any interpretation must

be based on an analysis of the frequencies, not only of key functions, but of individual

artifact types. The key functions of aerated water or alcohol could be taken to indicate a

hotel, providing they were in relatively high frequencies. This is not the case in most

phases, with the exception of Phase 18, to 19, the bottle dump. Depending on the

recycling or disposal patterns, this might be the only phase or archaeological feature,

where high frequencies of these key functions could be expected. Indeed, the bottle

dump appears to have been used from the 1820s to the 1880s, and may have precluded

the finding of high frequencies elsewhere on site. If this is the case, then it may be

interpreted as clear evidence in support of hotel use.

Hotels often have more services to offer than the sale of liquor. They may also offer

catering and accommodation. The high frequencies of many ceramic tablewares, both in

earthenware and porcelain, clearly indicate a large establishment or series of households

needing many dinner sets. This supports the use of the hotel for catering, but the

evidence for accommodation is more elusive. The number of poes, jugs and basins is

not conclusive, but there is a reasonable number of medicine or toilet, and perfume

bottles. The latter represent a heightened awareness of personal health or hygiene, as

well as indicating the continued presence of women.

In summary. the evidence for the liquor consumption and catering functions of the hotel

are clearly indicated by the artifact assemblages, while the service of accommodation is

suspected but not conclusively demonstrated.

Food. As indicated in the summaries of the artifact catalogue provided for each phase,

evidence of diet is found in the categories of bone unworked, ceramics, glass, metals,

16 E. Higginbotham. 1988. Historical and archaeological analysis of the Christian Science Church, Smith Street, Parramatta. Calgaro and Vecchia. E. Higginbotham. 1987. 79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd.

101



organics and shell unworked. Bone refuse indicates a preference for sheep and

domestic fowl (chicken and turkey) during Period 2, followed by beef, pork, and

finally rabbit and fish. Fish is likely to be underrepresented because of the methods of

archaeological excavation and sampling. At least for lamb, mutton and chicken, whole

carcasses appear to have been butchered on site, while these and other species were

also bought already butchered. Cuts of meat range from those suitable for soup and

stew recipes to the more expensive cuts, appropriate for a hote1. l7

In the category of ceramics, food consumption is indicated by the number of Chinese or

Asian ginger jars, Bristol glazed paste jars, and other stoneware preserved food jars.

Likewise in glass, there are numerous bottles for oils, vinegars, pickles, chutneys, and

sauces. Other bottles may have been used for preserved foods. Only a few metal items

have been placed in the key function of food, ones that can be definitely associated with

preserved foods, but this fails to take into account the numerous metal containers found

on the site, at least some of which must have been food containers.

Organic food remains were limited to fruit stones, like peach and plum. They are likely

to be underrepresented, since they survive only in waterlogged or permanently dry

deposits. The majority were found in the backfill of the well, Phases 12 and 12A.

The remains of shellfish were widespread, but indicate a strong preference for rock

oyster. These may have been a significant proportion of the food consumption during

Period 2.

The archaeological evidence for diet and food consumption indicates a very broad range

of avai1~1:Jle products. The technology for preserving foods by bottling, and canning

resulted in an increase of the range of products on the market, most obvious in the

range of oils, vinegars, sauces, pickles and chutneys.

Improvements in lifestyle. Socio-economic position of the site. The whole

range of key functions recognised during Period 2, the occupation of the hotel, indicate

a site that is part of a fully fledged market economy. The position of the site on a socio

economic scale is relatively high. The proportions of stemmed glassware, tumblers,

and expensive ceramics support this interpretation, as do the presence of items like

cutlery, thermometer and clock parts. Ceramics is particularly revealing, an analysis of

the value and frequency of the various wares having been completed,18

17 Specialist Report by Dominic Steele, to be found in the site records. 18 See below.

102

I I I I I I I ·1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I


The fashions and lifestyles of the occupants of the site are indicated by the key

functions of'clothing, footwear, haberdashery, jewellery, medicine or toilet, and

perfume. Detailed analysis of these items is beyond the scope of this report, but the

artifact catalogue and collection may provide the basis for future study in this area.

Items of haberdashery, including scissors, pins, and thimbles indicate that clothing was

repaired and maintained by the occupants of the hotel, a role traditionally indicating the

presence of women. An increased awareness of personal hygiene is demonstrated by

the frequency of bottles and other proQucts, and again the presence of women is

indicated by perfume bottles.

Games and pastimes. The small numbers of gaming pieces, 2 counters, a chess

pawn, possibly a cricket ball, and the two musical items, a metronome scale, and a

harmonica part, demonstrate the lifestyle of the hotel occupants, but could also simply

signify a domestic situation. Some of the coins or tokens found on the site could have

been used as counters, or other trinkets and jewellery.

Gardening. The importance of gardening and horticulture during Period 2 is indicated

by the numerous terracotta or lead glazed earthenware flower or garden pots, bowls and

planters. The head of a rake was also found. Pollen analysis also provides evidence of

vegetable cultivation. 19

Family groupings. The presence of women is demonstrated by the key functions of

haberdashery, and perfume. Children are represented by items in the key function of

toys and writing. Traditional slate pencils and tablets were associated with the education

of children.

Horse transport. The evidence for transport is restricted to horse power, either in

items of harness, horseshoes and the like, or in parts of wagons, carts and coaches. It

was common in the 19th century for hotels and inns along the main communication

routes to provide the services of a wheelwright or blacksmith. The archaeological

evidence is not conclusive, but supports this case.

Medical profession. A small number of items may be associated with the medical

profession, rather than being simply medicine or toilet products. For example, a

laboratory slide, a phial and a syringe were found. The only known association of the

site wi~h the medical profession was in Period 3, when the house on the corner of

19 See below.

103



Smith and George Streets became a hospital. Another allotment on the site was owned

by a surgeon. 20 It is difficult to interpret all these items as introduced into earlier

contexts, but any association of the site with medicine in the 19th century would require

further research beyond the scope of this report.

Metalworking. In several of the phases in Period 2, copper based fragments of

melted metal have been found: These were interpreted as slag from metalworking, but

they could also represent the debris from the hotel fire in 1825, or the result of a

temporary activity on site, plumbing, building or construction or the like. These

artifacts 'will need further research and analysis before any firm conclusions can be

made.

4.6.5. Period 3. Victorian Subdivision: assemblage.

Pe~iod 3, the Victorian subdivision of the site, is represented by a number of phases.

They will be considered in the following chronological order.

Phase

6

12

Dating

1900s

1900s

Phase: 6. Victorian subdivision.


Description.


Well, backfill.


phase:

Aerated water. This key function is represented by soft drink bottle

tops.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by beer or wine, case gin or

schnapps bottles, tumblers and stemmed glassware, and in metals by a

crown seal.

20 Bk. 213. No. 714. LTO.

104

~r-----------------------------------------------------~

'0 C\I C\I ,....

Victorian subdivision

~ 100

C\I

Q) Cl Cl (I)

=.5:,5 ~ o-o.cc - = (J).-b ::J '2 .!2 _ co .... c o ::J 0 .c -u o b ~ Cl <t: c

'6 '5 co

Key functions

Figure 4.27. The frequency of key functions in Phase 6, The Victorian subdivision.

Alcohol or toilet. This key function is represented by bottle tops.

Building. This key function is represented by salt glazed drain pipes,

dry pressed bricks, flat sandstock bricks, drain lid, Marseilles tiles,

other sandstock bricks with rectangular frogs, or WC stamp ofWilliam

Cater, roofing slate, and other metal fittings including electrical

conductors, pipe bracket, and nails.

Building and furnishing. This key function is represented by window or

mirror glass and nails, either used in building or furnishings.


stoneware sherds and fragments of can and other containers.

Decorative tiles. This key function is represented by a single red glazed

tile fragment.

Fastening. This key function is represented by one eyelet.

105

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I .1


Food. This key function is represented by bone unworked, glass,

miscellaneous, shell unworked and synthetics. Bone includes chicken,

cow, pig, and sheep. Glass includes sauce bottles and glass closures.

Miscellaneous includes an oil and vinegar bottle top. Shell includes dog

cockle, rock oyster and scallop. Synthetics includes an oil or vinegar

bottle top.

Furnishing. This key function includes coil spring fragments, decorative

ironwork, and electrical paits~ .

Furnishing or tableware. This key function includes 2 porcelain bowl

fragments.

Horticulture. This key function is represented by terracotta flower or

garden pots.

Hunting. This key function is represented by a bullet and a cartridge

case.

Kitchenware. This key function is represented by a measuring cup.

Medical profession. This key function is represented by glass phials and

other fragments.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by various glass

bottles and glass tubing.


Packaging. This key function is represented by synthetic sheeting.

Perfume. This key function is represented by the cap to a lipstick

container.

Personal. This key function is represented by a penknife.



106

I" I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 I I I


Tableware. This key function is represented by assorted cup handles,

body sherds, bowls, cups, cup handles, egg cup, miscellaneous sherds,

plates, saucers, serving dishes and plates, teapot, ~nd epergne, all in a

range or wares.

Toilet. This key function is represented by white glazed jar fragments,

toothpaste tube, comb, and razor blade dispenser.

Toys. This key function is represented by the wheels of a toy tractor.



metals, mainly band, plate, sheet, rod and wire fragments,

miscellaneous, and shell unworked, probably food debris.

Writing. This key function is represented by slate writing tablets.

Phase: 12. Later backfill of well, excluding early backfilllayers.



phase:


beer and other glass bottles and stoppers.

Alcohol. This key function is represented by stoneware stout bottles.

Glass includes beer or wine and other b.ottles, case gin or schnapps,

skittles, whisky or brandy bottles, and stemmed glassware.

Building. This key function is represented by salt glazed drain pipes,

dry pressed bricks, flat sandstock bricks, Marseilles tiles, other

sandstocks, some with rectangular frogs or WC stamp for William

Cater, roofing slate. Glass includes window glass. Metals include bolts,

decorative ironwork, door keys, latches and bolts, roofing screws,

107

I I I I I I I I I ·1 I I I I I I I I I I I


6000

5000 (Il

~40oo -~30oo o o z2000

L.O N o N

Key functions

Well, later backfill N o N L.O

Figure 4.28. The frequency of key functions in Phase 12, the later backfi1l of the well,

excluding those Jayers in Phase 12A.

guttering brace, masonry hooks, nails, piping, screws, spikes, and

washers. Organics include debris, planks, and off cuts.


mirror glass, plate glass, and nails.


Cleaning or writing. This key function is represented by blacking or ink

bottles.

Clothing. This key function is represented by belt buckles, clothing clip,

and cloth.



stoneware sherds, and fragments of metal containers.

108

I I I I I -I I 'I I I I I I I ,I

I I I I I I


Cutlery. This key function is represented by a teaspoon and knife blades

or handles.

Decorative tiles. This key function is represented by brown glazed,

brown or blue transfer printed wall tiles.


glass, metals, organics, and shell unworked. Bone includes chicken.

cow and sheep. Ceramics includes Chinese ginger jars and stoneware .

paste jars. Glass includes oil, vinegar, sauce, pickle or chutney bottles,

jars and stoppers. Metals include a tin key. Organics includes fruit

stones. Shell includes dog cockle, rock oyster and Sydney cockle.

Food or pest. This key function is represented by the bone of rabbit.

Footwear. This key function is represented by parts ofleather shoes.

Fuel. This key function is represented by coal.

Furnishing. This key function is represented by body sherds, figurines,

jugs, knobs, rim sherds, and vases in various ceramics. Glass includes

bases, and ornaments. metals include bead head knob, candle sticks,

coil springs, picture hooks and coat hangers.

Games. This key function is represented by a leather ball fragment.

/

Horticulture. This key function is.. represented by flower and garden pots

in terracotta, and a stoneware bird bath.

Hunting. This key function is represented by shotgun pellets.

Kitchenware. This key function is represe!1ted by ceramics including

baking dishes, basins, bowls, bread bin, jars, saucers, storage jars.

Metals include containers, dishes, lids, kettles, and saucepan.

Kitchenware or tableware. This key function is represented by ceramics

including body sherds, bowls, dishes and jars.

109


Leatherworking. This key function is represented by a cobbler's last.

Medical profession. This key function is represented by a glass phial.

Medicine or toilet. This key function is represented by stoneware

toothpaste or ointment container, and by a range of glass bottles.

Metalworking. This key function is represented by copper based slag

fragments.

Paint. This key function is represented by tins coated with paint

residues.

Perfume. This key function is represented by glass bottles.

Personal. This key function is represented by parts of purses or bags.

Pet or pest control. This key function is represented by the bone of cats.

Religion. This key function is represented by rosary beads.


china clay or kaolin.

Table~are. This key func~ion is represented by body sherds, bowls,

cups, cup handles, dinner plates, egg cups, handles, jugs,

miscellaneous sherds, plates, platters, sauce boat, saucers. serving

bowls and teapots in various ceramic wares. Glass includes body

sherds, covers, dishes, handles, stem and foot of an ornament.

Timekeeping. This key function is represented by clock workings.

Toilet. This key function is represented by bottles, jars, pitchers, poes

in ceramics, as well as a toothbrush.

Tools. This key function is represented by an axe head, a cog, pliers, a

shovel head and a spanner.

110

I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

4.6.6.


Toys. This key function is represented by a miniature saucer, a toy

soldier, marbles, and other items.

Transport. This key function is represented by horseshoes.



metal~, mainly band, plate, sheet, rod and wire fragments,

miscellaneous, organics, shell unworked, probably food debris, and

synthetics.

Writing. This key function is represented by slate writing tablets, ink

bottles, slate pencils and holders.

Period 3. Victorian Subdivision: interpretation.

In Period 3, two principal phases have been identified:

Phase

6

12

Dating

1900s

1900s

Description.


Well, backfill.

In fact, none of these phases belongs wholly to Period 3, because they contain

consistent quantities of materials from the 1830s onwards, in other words, Period 2.

Much of the artifactual material is therefore residual from the previsms occupation of the

site, a fact that makes the interpretation of the post-subdivision occupation of the site

almost meaningless. It is too highly contaminated by the evidence for activities

belonging to the earlier occupation.

While it is easy to understand why the later occupation of the site, represented by Phase

6, should have incorporated artifacts from the e(!.rlier periods, this is not so easily

explained in the backfill of the well in Phase 12. Where later features cut earlier ones,

admixture of the earlier artifacts with the later material should be expected. However the

backfill of the well is possibly one, at most two events. The sample size of the lower

deposits is small to medium, so that it may be fortuitous that the lower levels of the well

(Contexts 333 to 336) date between the 1830s and 1870s, and do not have any later

111



material to c1900s. If this is the case, then the backfill of the well is a single event,

c1900 to 1910.

It is difficult to explain the backfill of the well between 1900 and 1910, and how it

contained substantial quantities of artifacts representing occupation between the 1830s

and 1900. It is not a case of the gradual backfill of the well from 1830 onwards,

because the total date range is present in all but the lowest three layers. The only other

possible scenario is the redeposition in 1900 to 1910 of material stored, discarded or

dumped from the 1830s to 1900s. For example, part of the bottle dump, PhaSe 18 and

19, could have been removed and dumped down the well between 1900 and 1910. This

action would replicate the dating of the well deposits almost totally.

However there is evidence, which may point more conclusively to the source of the

material dumped, rather than accepting the hypothetical case given above. By the time

the well was backfilled, the former hotel site had been subdivided into a number of

allotments. The well was left in lot 1, sold on 31 January 1881 to Isaac Waugh,

surgeon, George Street, Parramatta. The neighbouring allotments were under different

ownership.21 It is therefore difficult, but not impossible, to envisage material being

dumped from a source on a neighbouring allotment by 1900 to 1910. It is far easier to

accept a source within lot 1 itself. The most obvious source is therefore the demolition

of the former stables or building to the east of the former hotel. This building, which is

likely to have been constructed by the 1830s, could easily contain evidence of

occupation from the 1830s onwards. Part of the backfill of the well could easily be

explained by the demolition of this building, the remainder or more modem materials

resulting from the construction of the single storey cottage, which stood on lot 1 until

the archaeological excavation in 1989.

The source of the well backfill from the former hotel site is supported by the strong

similarities it has with the other phases in Period 2. This similarity includes most of the

more unusual key functions, for example, decorative tiles, medical profession,

metalworking. There is also duplication of the assemblages in many of the other key

functions.

21 E. Higginbotham. 1987.79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd; Bk. 213. No. 714. LTO.

112

Ol U"l

Ceramic values 80 (")

q' • Convict hut f'-.

 (/)

III .c:. a. .c:. 60 () III .E

 ::l -a; > 40 ()

E .c:. () III -0

?f.. 20 (") N Ol (,Cl

r...:

0 0

Cheap Expensive Unidentified Utilitarian

Ceramic values

Figure 4.29. Ceramic values for Phase 2 to 4, the convict hut in Period 1.

4.6.7. Analysis of ceramic values.

As a result of the specialist report on ceramics, an analysis was made of original market

values as a reflection on the changing socio-economic status of the site over time. The

available literature on the price and value of ceramics is difficult to fully evaluate in the

Australian context, but it was possible to assign one of the following four values to

each type of ceramics:

Cheap.

Expensive.

Unidentified.

Utilitarian.22

22 Specialist report on Ceramics by Cathy Snelgrove. Ceramic valuation by Rowan \Vard. The values of each type of ceramics is listed in the artifact catalogue (computer version).

113

0'1 Ceramic values C") r-.

80 r-.: • Timber building r-. IiI Early features Q)

(fJ

ca (I Introduced soil .c. a. ~ Bottle. dump .c. u

0 EarJywell ca Q)

60 .5 • Hotel :>. ~ Cl Q)

(i5 u Q) 40 u E .c. u ca Q)

'0 ?!< 20

o Cheap Expensive Unidentified Utilitarian

Ceramic values

Figure 4.30. Ceramic values for Phase 13, timber building, Phase 15, early features,

Phase 14, introduced soil type, Phase 18 - 19, bottle dump, Phase 12A, early back/ill

of well, and Phase 5, the hotel, Period 2.

Any future analysis may also include the values of medium and luxury, in order to

make more precise the changing socio-economic position of an archaeological site.

Three graphs were produced to illustrate the changing socio-economic status of the

archaeological site through time (Figures 4.29 to 4.31).

Period 1. The high percentage of expensive ceramics is surprising. This is caused

principally by the value attributed to imported Chinese porcelain. The scarcity of

available ceramics, and the historical evidence for the high pricing of traded goods in

the period from 1788 to c 1830 supports this attribution of value. As discussed in

Section 4.6.2, these ceramics may have belonged to the later occupation of the convict

hut by free persons, and therefore do not necessarily reflect on the living standards of

the convicts.

Period 2. The interpretation of the ceramic values in Period 2 is more complex. While

the percentages of utilitarian ceramics remains moderately constant, except in Phase 5,

114

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I


the hotel, there is more variation in the remaining three categories. The dating of the

several phases is important in any interpretation:





18 - 19 1820s - 1880s Bottle dump.

12A 1830s - 1870s Well, earlybackfill.

5 1860s - 1880s Hotel.

The earliest phases, namely Phases 13 and 15, match the frequencies of Period 1,

although the match is lessened with the increase in the proportion oflater material. This

gradual change may be expected as the range of ceramics on the market increases

dramatically from the 1820s onwards, overcoming the monopolistic behaviour of the

early merchants and traders.

The graph of the Period 2 phases appears to indicate an inverse relationship between

unidentified and expensive ceramics, and perhaps also the unidentified with the cheap,

ceramics. Thus in Phases 5, 12A, and 18 - 19 the unidentified ceramics have increased

their frequency, while the expensive and perhaps the cheap ceramics have decreased.

These are all the phases where the later ceramics predominate.

In fact the high proportion ofunidentified ceramics is a result of the large quantities of

miscellaneous. stoneware sherds present in these phases. Miscellaneous stoneware

forms 87 percent of the unidentified category. Where stoneware is placed in

recognisable types, it is mostly of a utilitarian nature, namely blacking, ink and ginger

beer bottles, demi johns, teapots and jugs. The majo~ty of the recognisable stoneware

is ginger beer bottles, and the majority of the unrecognised sherds is likely to be the

same. The changing frequencies are therefore showing the increasing use of utilitarian

ginger beer bottles from the 1840s onwards.

While the interpretation might be imprecise, this trend over time may be indicating

changing fashions in liquid consumption, or more probably the changing status of the

hotel. As with other hotels in Parramatta, the arrival of the railway in 1855, and its

extension beyond in the late 1850s and 1860s, lead to the decline of the town as a stop

over in the journey westward. The changing frequencies in ceramic values in the later

part of the hotel period may be a reflection of this decline and role change. As with the

115


70

60

q, (/) «I .c. 50 Cl.. .c. u «I q,

.S 40 q, ::;l

(i5 > q, u 30 "E. .c. u «I q, - 20 0

?P-

lO

0 Cheap


Expensive Unidentified

Ceramic values

Ceramic values • Victorian subdivision 11 Latewell

Utilitarian

Figure 4.31. Ceramic values for Phase 6, Victorian subdivision, and Phase 12, later

backfill of well, Period 3.

'Red Cow', one of the two foremost hotels in Parramatta, demolished in the 1870s, the

'Babes in the Wood' Hotel had declined by this period and was demolished in the late

1870s.23

Period 3. Because of the high proportion of the artifacts in Period 3 being residual

from Period 2 phases, it is difficult to interpret the ceramic frequencies with any

reliability.

4.7. Pollen analysis.

The pollen analysis of two soil profiles from the site, together with a number of the

post-holes and barrel pits associated with the convict hut, has for the first time provided

23 E. Higginbotham. 1987. 79 George Street, Parramatta. Historical and archaeological assessment. Portfolio Projects Pty. Ltd; E. Higginbotham, 1990. The historical and archaeological analysis of the former 'Red Cow' Inn. Proposed multistorey car park, Erby Place, Parramatta, N .S. W. Parramatta City Council.

116



quantifiable information on the changes made to the environment as a result of

European settlement.24

The pollen analysis confirms that the pre-European vegetation consisted of dry

sc1erophyll open eucalypt forest, with a ground cover of grasses rather than shrubs.

This vegetation is typical a result of Aboriginal fire regimes, similar evidence for which

has been found at Sydney Cove.25

The European settlement of the area resulted in the gradual decline in the cover of

eucalypt forest, and also in the displacement of the Aborigines from their favoured

environments. Only in the later occupation of the site, between 1840s and 1900s was

the frequency of she-oaks to arrest their decline, perhaps as a result of conscious

plantings.

European settlement brought with it the rapid spread of agricultural weeds. The

similarit~ of the pollen profiles from the post-holes of the convict hut and the adjacent

barrel pits confirms their contemporaneity. They also provide evidence of cereal

cultivation from the earliest date. In fact the town was laid out in 1790, on what had

been the first large field of wheat at Parramatta, harvested earlier in 1790.26

Accompanying the pollen from the hut were significant quantities of liverwort,

associated with the rapid decay and dampness of the building. In spite of the evidence

for clearance, eucalypts of flowering age still existed in the close vicinity.

Cultivation or garden soils are indicated by the pollen samples from the 1790s to the

1820s. Evidence for the cultivation of turnip, beans and other edible crucifer species

was found. Other exotic or introduced species include Araucariaceae, privet, Pinaceae,

poppy and clover.

Pollen samples.from the upcast from the sandstone box drain, dated from 1841 to

1842, contain high frequencies of chenopods, almost certainly the introduced weed of

cultivation. The evidence indicates the degradation of the land in the Parramatta area, as

a result of agricultural activity and clearance. This:interpretation confirms the evidence

24 M. Macphail. 1990. Palynological analysis of two soil profiles and other samples associated with the archaeological excavation of early colonial period remains at the corner of Smith and George Streets, Parramatta. Consultant Archaeological Services. 25 E. Higginbotham, M. Macphail, and B. Davey. 1988. 'The soil and pollen analysis of part of the gardens of First Government House, Sydney', AJHA, Vol. 6; 49-56. 26 E. Higginbotham and P-A J ohnson. 1991. The future of Parramatta 's past. An archaeological zoning plan, 1788 to 1844. Department of Planning. P.6.

117



of the introduced soil type, a soil transported by wind or water onto the site in the

1840s, clearly the result of soil erosion.27 .

The sampling of the introduced soil reveals the continued presence of cereal pollen, as

well as the weeds of cultivation. There is also evidence of vegetable cultivation and the

presence of introduced or exotic species, including lily, palms, celtis, privet, japonica

and strawberry.28

27 E. Higginbotham. 1991. Report on the archaeological excavation of 79 George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W, 1989. CH Webb Bros. 28 In the palynological report there was some confusion over the soil descriptions and archaeological evidence: M. Macphail. 1990. Palynological analysis of two soil profiles and other samples associated with the archaeological excavation of early colonial period remains at the corner of Smith and George Streets, Parramatta. Consultant Archaeological Services. The pollen profiles may be, confidently assigned to the following stratigraphic sequence:

Description Date range South Profile South East Profile

Early topsoil 1790s to 1830s Zone 1 1790s to 1820s Zones 1, 2aand 2b

Clay layer 1820s Zone 3 Up-cast from drain 1840s Zone2a. Introduced soil 1840s to 1900s Zone 4 Zone 2b.

118

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

, I

I I I I

" The Babes in the Wood, Parramatta.

5. SUMMARY OF THE IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION.

The archaeological excavation of the former Prospect Electricity Staff Car Park, on the

corner of Smith and George Streets, Parramatta, has resulted in a large number of

important archaeological findings, including the site of another convict hut, dated to the

1790s, the second to be excavated in Parramatta, the site of Babes in the Wood Hotel,

from the 1810s to the 1880s, and later subdivision and development.

The excavation has demonstrated that the original alignment of George Street has not

changed since 1790, and also that the position of most convict huts can be plotted by

extrapolation from the historical measurements of the town layout and allotments. In

fact it is now possible to accurately reconstruct the c.1792 town plan ofParramatta.

The excavation of the convict hut provid~d important new information, and enabled

comparisons with the excavation of the other convict hut in 1985. The additions to the

hut, the rebuilding, the l?arrel pits and ceJlar, together with the artifact assemblage

provide an important insight into the living conditions of the convicts and the early

development of the town The barrel pits and cellar were interpreted as evidence of a

dairy, whereas other horticultural activities were indicated by pollen analysis and the

artifact assemblage.

The area excavation of this site has enabled new information on the density of

occupation within the town of Parramatta to be collected. Historical documentation

tends to suggest low density occupation, because all the early maps show only the

principal buildings on each allotment. The archaeological evidence proves otherwise,

with very dense occupation being demonstrated from the 1810s onwards. Buildings

which were undocumented in the historical record include the addition to the convict

hut, the timber building or early stables for the hotel, and a number of hotel out

buildings. The evidence for at least three outdoor WCs and the sandstone b0x drain,

associated with Period 2, the hotel, indicates the improvements in sanitation that were

present in these establishments from an early date. .

Area excavation was the only means of accurately recording and assessing the density

of occupation on the site, a fact that should strongly influence future archaeological

investigation. The placing of trenches to expose only those structures known from

historical documentation would place at risk the recognition of the other structures

found on this site, namely the early stable, and other dense occupation of the rear of the

119



site, including the bottle dump. The placement of trenches in this way will tend to

confirm only the historical evidence, and will not allow archaeology the full capacity to

reveal information in addition to the historical record. Archaeology will find it diffi~ult

to progress beyond the confirmation of the historical record if this practice is cont,inued.

One of the most significant findings was the recognition of an introduced soil type,

which may be dated to the 1840s or later. This soil, deposited by wind or water,

indicates the degradation of the local environment as a result of clearance, agriculture

and human settlement. This interpretation is dramatically supported by the pollen

analysis, which shows a significant increase in agricultural weeds in association with

this soil.

The artifact collection, now housed by Prospect Electricity, provides a priceless

document on the past. No museum possesses this range of evidence of past living

conditions, because most of the everyday and incomplete items would not be

considered worthy of display. Handled sensitively, this material can speak to us of the

past. Furthermore, this report has only been able to summarily record the artifacts and

to extract information on the range of activities that have occurred on site. The writing

of this report posed even more questions of this material, the answers to which are

beyond the scope and budget of the report. The conservation of the artifact collection

will ensure that the evidence. is available in future for research and further investigation.

120

I I I I I I I I I


APPENDIX 1. SITE RECORDS.

Primary archaeological records.

1. Archaeological features and structures.

2. Artifact collection.

Conservation treatment.


Now destroyed.

Conserved, with the exception of

building materials, which have been

culled down to a type series.

All artifacts have been cleaned, bagged, and packed into archive,boxes. No artifacts ,

were selected for conservation by the Museums Association ofN.S.W. Organics were

placed in polythene bags to avoid drying out, but were not otherwise treated.

The artifacts were divided into the following categories:

Artifact categories.

1. Aboriginal artifacts.

2. Bone·unworked.

3. Building materials. '

4. Ceramics.

5. Glass.,

6. Kaolin

7. Metals.

8. Miscellaneous.

9. Organics.

10. Samples.

11. Shell unworked.

12. Stone.

13. Synthetics.

Status.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued and discarded,

except for type series.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued

none. l

catalogued.

none.2

catalogued.

1 In order to assist in the cataloguing, all samples were placed in the relevant material category. For example, mortar samples were placed in building materials. 2 In order to assist in the cataloguing, all samples were placed in the relevant material category. For example, sandstone was placed in building materials.

121

I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I

Secondary site records.

1. Documentary.

Context sheets.

Context catalogue or index.

Context fmd record.

Survey record.

2. Photographic.


Black and white negatives and contact prints.

3. Graphic.

Site plans and sections or profiles.

Secondary artifact records.

1. Documentary.

Artifact catalogues.

Artifact categories.

1. Aboriginal artifacts.

2. Bone unworked.

3. Building materials.

4. Ceramics.

5. Glass.

6. Kaolin

7. Metals.

8. Miscellaneous.

9. Organics.

10. Samples.

11. Shell unworked.

12. Stone.

13. Synthetics.

Status.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued and discarded,

except for type series.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued.

catalogued.

~talogued.

catalogued

none.3

catalogued.

none.4

catalogued.

3 In order to assist in the cataloguing, all samples were placed in the relevant material category. For example, mortar samples were placed in building materials. 4 In order to assist in the cataloguing, all samples were placed in the relevant material category. For example, sandstone was placed in building materials.

122

I: I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I· I,

Specialist artifact reports.

Aboriginal artifacts.

Bone-unworked.

Ceramics.

Glass.

Shell-unworked.

2. Photographic.

Artifact catalogues.

Ceramics.

Glass.

Organics.

Other secondary records.

Report on soil sciences.

Report on pollen analysis.

Tertiary site records.

1. Documentary.

Report as presented to client.


Permanent archive for all excavation records.

The artifact collection, one set of the site records, and one copy of the report are stored

at the Archives of Prospect Electricity at Seven Hills.

123

cH I 'I'HE BABES IN THE WOOD, I P ITA. I I . Prospect...

Documents

Transcript of cH I 'I'HE BABES IN THE WOOD, I P ITA. I I . Prospect...