Several new artifacts earthed by CRL works
Several long-forgotten artifacts of Auckland’s past have been unearthed this month, giving archaeologists more clues to the history of the city’s day-to-day life.
In late May, excavations in Lower Queen Street uncovered the old Customs Street seawall that dates to circa 1860's. The large basalt blocks were encountered while digging a tree pit in the south end of Lower Queen street near the intersection of Customs Street East.
Project archaeologist Bernie Larsen said, “These stones are tangible evidence of the dynamic nature of this living city that has grown and evolved over its history. There is a wonderful symmetry to finding a remnant of what was a monumental project to transform the city 160 years ago during the construction of such a significant project that will again change our city for the better.”
“We have uncovered a surface that many people who came to New Zealand would have seen as their first view of the country they were to call home.”
The discovery was recorded by project archaeologists Clough and Associates as part of CRL’s Heritage NZ requirements.
Elsewhere in the city, an old well cut into virgin clay was discovered on the corner of Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive by Link Alliance construction crews. The well appeared to be unlined, and its location indicates that it pre-dates the Salvation Army Hall (mentioned below) that was found nearby. It was found 1.3m below the modern road surface and was 1.22m in length x 1.12m in diameter.
Near Aotea Station, work crews uncovered the remains of the old Salvation Army Hall including several brick foundations walls, two drains and a brick pile.
They also discovered an old boiler from around a similar time. The boiler was situated half buried below the surface surrounded by a concrete wall that was made up of layers. It was 170cm wide, 180cm long and 170cm high, and found with contaminated materials inside. What could it have been used for? No-one is quite sure yet. The location was around 4-10 Mayoral Drive, within the area of the old car park.