Archaeological Report on 30-32 Peacock Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 2A Dorset Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 62 Park Terrace, Weston House

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 334-336 Barbadoes Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 22A Aberdeen Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 99-101 Victoria Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Archaeological Report on 138-148 Victoria Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

76‐82 Chester Street and 291 Madras Street

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

An archaeological report compiled for New Zealand Historic Places Trust under the Historical Places Act 1993

Gender matters

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Gender matters. And it’s complicated, which is why writing this blog post has been particularly difficult. Why is it so complicated, from an archaeological standpoint? Well, let me try and explain. Historical archaeology developed as a discipline in the mid-20th … Continue reading →

The difficulties of dating #3: the bigger picture

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at some of the methods we use to date archaeological objects found in Christchurch. This week, we’re going to look at how artefacts, documentary evidence and archaeological context can be used to … Continue reading →

Gloucester Street bridge, Christchurch - report on archaeological monitori…

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

A report which details the archaeological monitoring carried out during the course of SCIRT project 11136, repairs to the Gloucester Street bridge.

A Brief Foray into Romano-British Archaeology

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Archaeologists are often faced with the question of what happens to artefacts after an excavation is complete? As is the case for a lot of excavations, artefacts can find themselves housed in museums. This centuries old institution found its beginning … Continue reading →

‘Archaia’ and ‘Logos’, what even is archaeology?

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

The word archaeology comes from the Greek archaia (“ancient things”) and logos (“theory” or “science”). So, archaeologists study past societies through the material culture. In other words, we write the history analysing what people threw away or left behind. That’s … Continue reading →

Archaeological challenges in the Hundred Acre Wood

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Hello everyone! Belated happy new year and welcome back. We’ve decided to begin the year by talking about problems (just to start on a positive note). Well, sort of. We’re participating in an international round-up of blog posts this month … Continue reading →

On the right track: tramways archaeology in Christchurch

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

How did people get around Christchurch in the 19th century? People certainly walked, or rode, perhaps on a horse, or in a wheeled vehicle pulled by a horse, such as a dray, gig, hackney, or hansom. And let’s not forget … Continue reading →

Building Record Form for the A & T Building, 580 Ferry Road, Christchurch

Articles, UC QuakeStudies

Building Record Form for the A & T Building, 580 Ferry Road, Christchurch.

70 years of quarantine: the archaeology of Ōtamahua/Quail Island

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today Aotearoa continues to take tentative steps back into level 2 of the Covid-19 response, so you might think it strange that I would be voluntarily stepping back into quarantine. But we’re the stepping back into the history – all … 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 →

Slice of Christchurch history preserved in NZ's first online archaeologica…

Articles, Videos, TV3

Almost 1 million artefacts were discovered in a 'big dig' after the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Seize the means of production! The archaeology of tools and labour.

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

For a lot of us, Labour Day is celebrated in the same way as a lot of public holidays: not thinking about work, catching up the gardening and odd jobs around the house, going away for a long weekend, having … Continue reading →

A breath of not-so-fresh air: archaeology and asbestos in Christchurch

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

When I first started studying to become an archaeologist, the dangers and difficulties of working with asbestos wasn’t really something that had ever crossed my mind. I knew what it was, in a vague sort of way, and that it … Continue reading →

Life Before Plastic: Packaging

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Last time on the blog we introduced our Life Before Plastic blog series, and today we’re continuing the series by discussing packaging. A lot of what we find in the archaeological record are containers, which are a form of packaging. … Continue reading →

The Shape of Things

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

On Wednesday I celebrated my six year anniversary working at Underground Overground Archaeology. I did plan on marking this milestone by staying up all Tuesday night to bake a special six-tiered chocolate cake to bring in to work and share … Continue reading →

Life Before Plastic: Packaging

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Last time on the blog we introduced our Life Before Plastic blog series, and today we’re continuing the series by discussing packaging. A lot of what we find in the archaeological record are containers, which are a form of packaging. … Continue reading →

Doe, a Deer, a (Possibly) Female Deer

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Bones, of the animal variety, are a common find on historic archaeological sites in Christchurch. The vast majority of the bones we come across are sheep and cattle, with the occasional pig and chicken showing up as well. From these … Continue reading →

A humble home

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today’s post presents the story of William Bowen, a prominent Christchurch builder, as told by his residence at 441 Madras Street. Archaeologists recorded this building using building archaeology techniques before and during its post-earthquake demolition. 441 Madras Street was initially … ...

Black deeds in Draper Street

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today, through the wonders of archaeology and Papers Past, we bring you the story of Charles Henry Cox, a man whose crime has been buried – literally – for over 100 years. But let’s not get too carried away. As … Continue reading →

Picture perfect – a gallery of archaeologist’s art

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today we would like to take you through some art work created by our team over the years. But this isn’t for your local charity art auction – these images illustrate the archaeological process we undertake on a daily basis. … Continue reading →

The human power behind the industrialisation

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Some of the most common archaeological finds related to the European settlement of New Zealand during 19th century are usually from residential occupation. Features like rubbish pits, underfloor deposits, wells (brick and artesian), cesspits, soak pits, post holes and drainage … Continue reading →

All things great and small

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Here at Underground Overground Archaeology we try not to sweat the small stuff – particularly because the small stuff we find is often super cool and makes us say “aww, that’s cute!”, similar to the way many people react when … Continue reading →