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 →

Touring the past

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

It seems almost expected now that many of us will go on semi-frequent overseas jaunts and visit the spectacular local scenery that New Zealand has to offer. However, most of us probably don’t often think about when these destinations became … Continue reading →

2017: The year that was

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Yet another year gone! It’s been a strange one, out there in the world, but here at Underground Overground it’s been a year of excavation, discoveries, stories and all things archaeological. In the proper spirit of history, let’s take a … Continue reading →

Life’s a beach

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

It’s that time of year again, the summer season is upon us, and this year has really has brought the heat! With much of the country sweltering in the late 20s and early 30s lately, it’s made us appreciate the … Continue reading →

A little more Lyttelton history

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

During recent earthquake repairs at a residential property on well-known Sumner Road in Lyttelton, our archaeologists uncovered a small assemblage of artefacts that represented everyday Victorian household items. At first glance these appeared a somewhat ordinary – but when Lydia … Continue readi...

‘The broken pitcher’

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today, art is my inspiration, at least as a starting point. The title of this blog post may seem whimsical, but it is both a practical description of our subject today and a reference to the art of centuries past. … Continue reading →

The changing face of a 19th century farmstead

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

We have published previously on the importance of buildings, be they residential or commercial, as an artefact in understanding 19th century culture in New Zealand. While it’s easy to overlook the humble cottage as a source of archaeological data, houses … 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 →

Under the ground, over the ground and under the floor

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Underfloor deposits are as exasperating as they are exciting. Exasperating because the context is not particularly secure: objects usually accumulate under a house over time (thrown or swept from the outside, lost or dropped between the floorboards, dragged in by … Continue reading →

Uncovering Victoria Square

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

In 1848, when the City of Christchurch was nothing but a design concept of the Canterbury Association back in London the idea of a ‘little slice of England’ (but half the world away) was born (Rice 2014, 9). Exactly how … Continue reading →

2023 Wrapped

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

And just like that, somehow we’re only three sleeps from Christmas and another year has flown by. It always seems like time speeds up once we hit September and that the final three months of the year disappear in the … Continue reading →

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” -Alfred Charles Barker and his photo…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

When it comes to researching properties and places around Christchurch, we historians review and compare a wide range of resources in order to figure out exactly what was happening there during the 19th century. By far one of the most … Continue reading →

Affordable Eating: Meat and three veg in Victorian Christchurch

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be aware that Aotearoa New Zealand is facing a cost-of-living crisis. That weekly visit to the supermarket seems to be getting more expensive each time. Throughout history people have sought ways of … Continue reading →

Displaying Wealth and Status in Buildings: Part Two

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Welcome back to Part Two of ‘displaying wealth and status in buildings’. Now, before we get into the interior of the building, I want you to use your imagination when looking at the upcoming photos. Prior to taking these photos, … Continue reading →

Displaying Wealth and Status in Buildings: Part One

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

The act of showing off wealth and status through material is a concept that has been happening throughout human history. This does not necessarily mean that the person had the wealth and status they were portraying, instead some people just … Continue reading →

Tool academy: Māori artefacts from Redcliffs

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Kia ora, Recently we had some great finds from Te Rae Kura/Redcliffs. Unbeknownst to many folks making their daily commute along the Port Hills’ Main Road, a nationally significant Māori archaeological site lies beneath their car wheels, capped by hard … Continue reading →

Cakes & Confectionery on High Street

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Sandwiched between the White Hart Hotel and the Universal Boot Depot at 223 and 225 High Street, was the business founded by Mr James Freeman, pastry cook and caterer. After browsing through Messrs…

Hay’s – the friendly store where everything is different

Articles, Lost Christchurch

The first part of the twentieth century was the heyday for the department store in New Zealand. The iconic department store, Hays, was a ‘household name’ in Christchurch from its incept…

Before and after the “Sign of the Kiwi”

Articles, Lost Christchurch

“Jog on, jog on, the footpath way. And cheerily hent the stile, A merry heart goes all the way, Your sad tires in a mile.” — “A Winter’s Tale,” Sheakespeare. Such is t…

Rosa Harris’ Corner Shop, Beckenham 1919

Articles, Lost Christchurch

It is the start of the second week of June 1919 and New Zealand’s Prime Minister, William Massey and the Minister of Finance, Sir Joseph Ward, are in Paris awaiting the signing of the Peace Treaty …

Julius von Haast and his Milkcan Seismometer

Articles, Lost Christchurch

German born colonist, Sir Julius von Haast, was an explorer specialising in geology. Amongst his many achievements was the founding of the Canterbury Museum. Born Johann Franz von Haast in 1822, in…

Edwardian and Elegant Working Class Sydenham c.1912

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Marking Time in Sydenham In 1912, the impressive Sydenham Post Office stood as a sentinel on the busy corner of Colombo and Brougham Streets. It was a huge post office which served a large communit…

Von Sierakowski & Co, Corner of Colombo and Tuam Streets 1906

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Oscar von Sierakowski’s factory and shop was built on the corner of Colombo and Tuam Streets in 1906.  It boasted that it was the largest wire work factory in the colonies, producing decorati…

Dalgety’s Building, Cathedral Square 1928

Articles, Lost Christchurch

The streets are quiet – a parked car sits outside Dalgety’s, a lone tram rumbles towards the tram sheds and a tired delivery horse stands with his head bowed, eating chaff from his feed…

The Car Makes its Presence Felt, Cashel Street c. 1920

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Cashel Street has been taken over by the new phenomenon – motor cars.  This photograph documents the quickly changing dynamics of a street which once enjoyed a more sedentary pace of life. Ch…

Botany, Physics Department and Observatory, Canterbury College 1919

Articles, Lost Christchurch

The most beautiful quadrangles lead to the Botany and Physics Department and Observatory of the Canterbury College, University of New Zealand in 1919. In 1873 the Provincial Council passed the Cant…

A Whale of a Time at Sumner

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Whale at Sumner Provides Amusement for Trippers “Considerable excitement was caused at Sumner at about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, when it was reported that something like a large upturned boat …

Christchurch’s Countess – Léontine, Countess de la Pasture

Articles, Lost Christchurch

To the inhabitants of colonial Nelson, Léontine, Countess de la Pasture was the epitome of Victorian refinement and manners. To her husband – Gerard Gustavus Ducarel, the fourth Marquis de la…