MELBOURNE RAIL YARD ARTEFACT DEPOSIT

An artefact deposits comprising of nineteenth century artefacts was discovered during bridge construction works. Bore works uncovered a high concertation of artefacts at 2m depth, below a railway ballast deposit. The artefact deposits continued until 8m depth. Below this deposit was grey silty clay containing shell fragments.   

 

Historical maps show that the area was along the eastern edge of the former Melbourne Swamp, a 1879 drainage map shows that the site is within a pond of the Moonee Chain of Ponds. The railway was established between 1888 and 1890 sealing the swamp with 2m of railway fill.  

 

It is likely that the pond was utilised as a rubbish dump throughout the nineteenth century, and in the 1870s the artefacts may have been deposited purposefully to remediate flooding or develop the land.  

 

The site is currently a rail reserve comprising of rail lines and railway-related infrastructure. 

The site is of local historical and archaeological significance. 

The site is of local historical significance and moderate archaeological significance for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. The site will provide some evidence of urban consumer discard behaviours in the late 19th century and past patterns of life and consumption. It will also provide information about waste disposal in this time period.