Photograph of Gap Filler project 13 (21)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A snow woman outside Gap Filler Headquarters, the 10 square metre office building in Sydenham. In the background a mural can be seen, reading, "The things which I have seen I now can see no more".

Photograph of Gap Filler project 13 (22)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A snow woman outside Gap Filler Headquarters, the 10 square metre office building in Sydenham. In the background a mural can be seen, reading, "The things which I have seen I now can see no more".

Umut Akguzel Photograph 535

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the cordon on the Gloucester Street bridge near Cambridge Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed across the bridges with signs reading, "Extreme danger, keep out" and "Warning, no public access beyond this point".

UC Restarts - Photograph 19

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A woman sits reading beside the "University of Canterbury" sign on Clyde Road. In the background are the tents used while lecture theatres were closed for structural testing. The photographer comments, "From Clyde Rd, all seemed intact".

Umut Akguzel Photograph 338

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the former Central Library on Gloucester Street. The entrance has been boarded up with plywood and the footpath is covered in dead leaves. To the left, a sign reading 'Library Open' is still standing outside.

BeckerFraserPhotos February 2012 photograph 0997

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a sign reading, "Please save High Street, the heart of Christchurch city". The photograph is captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Sign seen on a fence near the corner of St Asaph Street and High Street".

Nic Johns and Mark Osborne WEMO Photograph 049

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of tape reading "Danger, keep out", draped around the entrance of Peaches and Cream on the corner of Manchester and Tuam Streets. Bricks from the façade above have fallen and landed on the awning and footpath.

Photograph by Paul Corliss 1712

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a spray-painted message on a fence reading, "4 sale - handy mans dream. Mild reno's needed. Easy indoor/outdoor flow - with water feature!" The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "New Brighton by QEII Drive".

BeckerFraserPhotos May 2013 photograph 172

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Reinforcement steel protrudes from a bank which is supporting a walkway on Sumner Road. Excavators are lined up on the left-hand side of the road. A sign reading, 'Rebuilding for our future' hangs on the security fence.

Photograph by Paul Corliss 1713

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a spray-painted message on a fence reading, "4 sale - handy mans dream. Mild reno's needed. Easy indoor/outdoor flow - with water feature!" The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "New Brighton by QEII Drive".

Think Differently Book Exchange Photograph 1

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the opening of the Think Differently Book Exchange. In the centre of the photograph, two people are browsing the books in the fridge, and to the left people are sitting at a picnic table reading.

Photograph by Paul Corliss 1711

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a spray-painted message on a fence reading, "4 sale - handy mans dream. Mild reno's needed. Easy indoor/outdoor flow - with water feature!" The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "New Brighton by QEII Drive".

Photograph by Paul Corliss 3311

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a protest sign reading, "Pillage People" and showing the faces of key figures in the Christchurch rebuild superimposed on the bodies of the Village People. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Woodham Road, Linwood".

BeckerFraserPhotos April 2011 photograph 216

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Yellow stickers on the window of 164 Victoria Street. The sticker on the left readings, "Danger, your building has a yellow placard, do not enter". The sticker on the right indicates that the building is restricted to essential business.

All Right? Resources: Winter Survival Kit Sticker (28)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

An image designed for use as a sticker for the All Right? Winter Survival Kit. The image reads, "Get your free Winter Survival Kit today! What makes you feel All Right in Winter? Reading or exploring your local library".

Paul and Sam Corliss's Street Art Photograph (2015:03:28 13:32:02)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a tag on the back of the Wunderbar on London Street in Lyttelton. A message has been written under the tag, reading, "Next time you scribble on walls, how about adding a bit of colour...xxx".

BeckerFraserPhotos February 2011 photograph 414

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A sign erected on Retreat Road in Avonside by the Christchurch City Council reading, "Non-residents are asked not to enter this area. Traffic may cause further damage to roads and properties. Please respect the needs of local residents".

Paul and Sam Corliss's Street Art Photograph (2015:03:28 13:32:01)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a tag on the back of the Wunderbar on London Street in Lyttelton. A message has been written under the tag, reading, "Next time you scribble on walls, how about adding a bit of colour...xxx".

Photograph of LUXCITY 2012:10:20 17:32:41

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a hand-written cardboard sign reading 'The Beginning Is Nigh'. The sign is cable-tied to the fence next to a vacant site on Gloucester Street. The site is the location of Illusions, part of LUXCITY.

Privies, Water Closets and Pan Closets: Sanitation in 19th century Christc…

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Toilet, loo, lavatory, water closet, restroom, bathroom –  no matter what you call it, they all refer to the same thing: the porcelain throne on which we spend an average of three hours and nine minutes a week. The flushing … Continue reading →

Chew with your mouth closed, my dear

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

The dinner party; a minefield of social etiquette and proper behaviour for both the host and the guests. For the host – the pressure of who to invite, where to sit them, what to serve them? Having the right invitation … Continue reading →

Bits and Bobs (again)

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

It’s been a while since we last did one of these, so here are some of our most interesting finds from the past six months. Clara Watson References Coysh, A., & Henrywood, R. 1982. The Dictionary of Blue and White … Continue reading →

Photograph of Gap Filler project 5 (33)

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Furniture spray-painted with drawings and words by members of the public as part of the Words of Hope project. A message can be seen, reading, "Rebuild Christchurch, be proactive, don't be reactive. Don't miss this opportunity, kia kaha".

Conference uncovered

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

For a change of pace, a group from Underground Overground Archaeology spent last week out of the office, and out of Christchurch at the New Zealand Archaeological Association Conference on Stewart Island. The New Zealand Archaeological Association (known affectionately as … 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 →

Life Before Plastic: Kmart Culture

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Last time on the blog we talked about packaging and how our Victorian ancestors made do without plastic trays to wrap their cans of coke in (and all the rest of it). This week we’re going to take a closer … Continue reading →

Food, glorious food!

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Food, in all its myriad forms, can be one of the most intrinsic and expressive aspects of culture and society – throughout time and across the world. From the customs surrounding the preparation and consumption of food to the ingredients … Continue reading →

The Sum of a Life

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

Today on the blog we’re taking a look at a pair of neighbours, Joseph Rowley and David Scott. The pair lived next to each other on the south side of St Asaph Street- with Rowley owning Lot 7 DP 51 … Continue reading →

A few interesting finds

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

If you recall our 2020 end of year blog, I made a new year’s resolution to ensure that we were updating both our social media accounts and the blog regularly. If you follow our blog and our other accounts, you’ll … Continue reading →

Elixirs, Ointments and Tonics: Medicine in Nineteenth Century Christchurch

Articles, Christchurch uncovered

As part of the New Zealand Archaeology Week, Clara recently gave a talk entitled, Elixirs, Ointments and Tonics: Medicine in Nineteenth Century Christchurch. This talk was part of the event, Beneath Our Feet: Archaeological Stories of Place. The talks from … Continue reading →