The remnants of the school and residence have offered a unique insight into Melbourne life before the Gold Rush.
Items discovered during the dig.
Heritage Victoria principal archaeologist Jeremy Smith said the sandstone foundations of the cottage indicated it would have been among the oldest buildings in Melbourne.
“Sandstone is a real marker for us that we’re dealing with something that’s very old,” he said. “We’re looking at one of the first buildings built in Melbourne.”
The massive array of artefacts includes jewellery, brushes, needles, pins and pencils.
Archaeologists also found coins, rings, dominoes, marbles and clay pipes.
Mr Smith said only about 20 per cent of the foundations remained.
An item at the site. Credit:Penny Stephens
“It’s very much a deteriorated ruin.”
The archaeological assessment was required before the development could proceed.
The excavation of the six-room cottage began on March 26 after Heritage Victoria identified it as having “high archaeological potential”.
Mr Smith said a network of vermin tunnels underneath the cottage’s floorboards offered surprising historical value.
Fragments of earthenware, metal and glass can provide hints about how people lived their lives.
An advertisement from Port Phillip Gazette in April 1846 referencing Mrs Bruford and her school.
“Rats are little archaeologists too. They bring things back to their nests," he said.
Bones scattered across the site gave fresh insight into the women's diets and what foods were available at the time.
The excavation was carried out by heritage consultancy TerraCulture.
A woman called Mrs Bruford lived in the building and operated the school, but archaeologists know little about her.
An 1846 clipping from a colonial newspaper showed Mrs Bruford advertising the opening of her new school “for a limited number of ladies”.
She promised to teach English grammar, geography, history, French, Italian and music herself.
“She can therefore promise, that in these branches of education, the utmost endeavours shall be used to promote the improvement of her pupils,” the advertisement said.
But she also promised to “endeavour to procure the best masters” to teach drawing and dancing if required.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the discovery highlighted the value of Heritage Victoria’s work to identify key sites and ensure Melbourne’s history was preserved.
“This site is a unique window into life in early Melbourne. These artefacts and buildings will teach us things we can’t learn from other historical sources,” he said.
“This find has uncovered a fascinating piece of our history and allows all Victorians to learn more about our city and state.”
Benjamin is a state political reporter
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2020-05-24 13:32:50Z
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