Archaeological dig uncovers 250,000 artefacts at Mistletoe Hotel site, former Melbourne Gold Rush pub
UPDATE: A SMALL revolver, ‘Russian bear grease’ and sealed liquor bottles are among the incredible treasures unearthed under an old Melbourne Gold Rush pub where a daring robbery once took place.|
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A SMALL revolver, ‘Russian bear grease’ (a treatment for loss) and sealed liquor bottles are among an amazing haul of loot found during an archaeological dig at an old Melbourne pub.
Some 250,000 artefacts have been found in rubble at the site of the demolished Mistletoe Hotel which opened in 1855, in Mackenzie St, on the north side of the city.
Heritage Victoria’s Jeremy Smith said the treasures were from the Gold Rush era.
“The excavation has uncovered a variety of items – some not seen before – reflecting an explosion of wealth coming into Melbourne and providing a really dynamic picture of the hotel’s past.” Mr Smith said.
“And reflecting its gold rush history, there was even gold — some turned into a stick pin — and early coins uncovered.
“Hundreds of bottles — an amazing number still intact — were found including beer, wine, champagne, cognac, gin and rum.”
The collection — which also includes a rising sun badge, sewing pins, silver coins, pottery shards, and a gold nugget — dates back to around the time European settlers founded Melbourne.
Mr Smith said developments that disturb potential artefacts are usually allowed but with a requirement to undertake an archaeological excavation.
A Malaysian company, UEM Sunrise, is developing the site into a 38-storey apartment building.
For years the site has been a car park.
The construction work has unearthed the historic hotel’s cellar, the building’s footing, and thousands of pieces of glass.
Heritage Victoria’s role is to make sure the site gets the appropriate archaeology which can range from a couple of weeks to several months, Mr Smith said.
“The archaeologists have been at the Mistletoe site for about three months because it is a really significant place and some of the artefacts just haven’t been seen before,” he added.
The excavation is due to end this week but for the archaeologists, the project is just starting.
The artefacts will cleaned and conserved and then potentially go on display providing an opportunity to make the findings from the dig available to the community.
The Mistletoe Pub, owned by Charles Wright from 1870, had a colourful history and was once the site of a daring robbery.
The entertainer and music hall entrepreneur also ran the Colosseum in Bourke Street where “patrons danced all night”.
When Mr Wright returned home on September 11, 1879 he found burglars had entered through the roof.
They had removed the slats, and made a hole in the ceiling and lowering themselves down by a rope into his bedroom, from which they had taken £200 in cash.
They fled long before Mr Wright returned home fromthe Colosseum.
The pub popped up at a time when the city was in the grip of Gold Rush fever, opened like many others to service thousands of immigrants pouring into Melbourne.
Its original licensee, W.M. Manuel, offered its customers “the best popular drinks” and promised to “make them to believe they are at home”.
The adjoining livery stables advertised they had space for 40 drays, and hired horses, saddles and feed.
The pub was also the venue for public meetings and inquests.
All archaeology in Victoria is protected under the Heritage Act 1995.
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