Parramatta: Convict hut, historical artefacts discovered at Metro station site

Talk about throwback Thursday. The jaws of archaeologists dropped when they unearthed a convict hut and historical artefacts at Parramatta dating back more than two centuries.

Development has engulfed Parramatta with its never-ending construction of major projects, but time stood still recently when a convict hut and historical artefacts dating back more than 230 years were unearthed beneath a future Metro station.

A team of archaeologists unearthed a convict hut that used to house women just four years after Australia was colonised and historical artefacts as far back as 1792.

The discovery was made during the start of work at the Sydney Metro station at Church St.

Transport Minister David Elliott visited the “truly astonishing” site to the north of the existing Parramatta train station to meet the team that painstakingly unearthed the treasured relics.

“To witness 230-year-old relics being uncovered beneath our future Sydney Metro is incredible – it’s our past meets our future in western Sydney,” Mr Elliott said.

Archaeological work is under way on site and will continue until mid-2023.

Experts are investigating the significance of the hut, which will be fully excavated so it can be investigated thoroughly.

“As we continue to modernise transport in Sydney it is important we don’t lose sight of our past, and take these opportunities to learn more about our history,’’ Mr Elliott said.

Parramatta station is one of nine new metro stops for the 24km Sydney Metro West line that will link Greater Parramatta and Sydney CBD.

Originally published as Parramatta: Convict hut, historical artefacts discovered at Metro station site