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Oh, you pretty things!

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today for your viewing pleasure, we present a selection of interesting, unusual and aesthetically pleasing ceramics from Christchurch sites. Enjoy! Jessie Garland References Adamson, J. & Bader, H-D. 2008. Archaeological Excavation Report on the Street Homestead, Penrod Drive, Bell Block, &#8...

A few of our favourite things…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been excavating a site in the CBD that’s yielded some of the most interesting artefacts we’ve see for a while. So, today on the blog, we’ve selected a few of these fascinating things for … Continue reading →

A penny for your thoughts…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Money, as Liza Minnelli has told us, makes the world go around. It is such an intricate and constant part of the societies we live in, a factor upon which so many of our actions – collectively and individually – are … Continue reading →

In which goats frolic, pipes masquerade as baskets and camels do whatever …

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Taking a break from our recent musings on society, smells and legacies, this week’s post features another selection of artefacts from the archives. All of these were found on the same site in Christchurch’s central business district over the last … Continue reading →

Oh, the irony: a tale of unexpected survival (or how the little things can…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Over the last few weeks, as archaeologists do, I’ve found myself thinking about the physical legacies people leave behind them. In particular, I’ve been thinking about the contrast between the monumental (buildings, in this case) and the artefactual and how, … Continue reading →

“Today, tomorrow, Timaru”: souvenirs of early tourism in New Zealand

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

The idea of a ‘souvenir’, as a physical keepsake of a place or event, is not a new concept. It’s been around for as long as people have been bringing home exotic treasures from far-off lands, or trying to preserve … Continue reading →

Archaeology: where losing your marbles is sometimes a good thing

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Imagine, if you will, that you were born in 1870. Your parents are colonists who journeyed to Christchurch to build a new life for themselves and their family. They’re not rich, but you live comfortably enough in this new country. … Continue reading →

The Triangle – Noxious Exhalations and a Special Earthquake

Articles, Lost Christchurch

“William Wilson was formerly a cabbage dealer in Canterbury; but fourteen years ago he was poor, whereas now he is rich, a circumstance attributable to a lucky speculation in a piece of land …

The First Car Comes to Christchurch

Articles, Lost Christchurch

A Packing Case on Wheels Local and General. Star, Issue 6789, 8 May 1900, Page 3 A weird-looking vehicle has recently been seen travelling through the streets of the city much to the amusement and …

A Visit to the Suburbs and a Parting Nor’ Wester

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Notes on a Christchurch Trip By Fabian Bell Part V: A Visit to Some of the Suburbs and a Parting Nor’ Wester The room in which Bishop Julius was entertained at luncheon the other day is a par…

Port Lyttelton – ‘a mean, insignificant little place’

Articles, Lost Christchurch

This land-locked port of Lyttelton – called occasionally Port Cooper and sometimes Port Victoria – is the main, or rather the only, entrance to the Province of Canterbury. The surroundi…

The Wanderings of a Spiritualist – Sherlock Holmes Creator Visits Christc…

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Conan Doyle’s fascination with the supernatural brought him to New Zealand in 1920, where he met a special terrier named ‘Darkie’ who he believed had mystical powers. In the podca…

The Oldest Building in Canterbury

Articles, Lost Christchurch

“To settle what seems to be a somewhat vexed question, a representative of the Lyttelton Times yesterday made inquiries among a number of the Pilgrims with regard to the authenticity, or otherwise,…

The Glenmark – Tragedy and a Fortune in Colonial Gold

Articles, Lost Christchurch

“The tale of a shipwreck has for most readers a fascination unequalled by any other of the many forms of tragedy which from time to time sweep some unlucky band or section of humanity into et…

Restoration of Christchurch Arts Centre makes progress

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch's iconic Arts Centre has been off-limits to the public since it was damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes.