The race against time: Salvaging Brisbane's early history
In a sterile office, a young archaeologist, Emily Totivan, is piecing together fragments of Brisbane's past. These shards, once part of dinner plates, offer a glimpse into the city's early days as a river port. Totivan, an archaeology student, is part of a new generation eager to explore and preserve history, despite the challenges of the modern world.
The office, located in a Queensland Museum storage facility, is a hub of activity. Totivan, wearing blue plastic gloves, meticulously arranges ceramic pieces, each a piece of a puzzle. The plates, adorned with intricate blue and white patterns, depict a serene scene of pagodas, willows, and swallows, inspired by Chinese art. Totivan describes it as the world's hardest puzzle, but one that brings immense satisfaction.
As a young woman in a field often romanticized by pop culture, Totivan is passionate about her work. She shares her enthusiasm with Elisha Kilderry, a fellow 19-year-old student, who dreams of uncovering the stories of human evolution through bone and genome analysis. Together, they work on a different set of ceramic shards, this time with a geometric design in viridian green.
The city of Brisbane is on the cusp of a salvage archaeology boom, fueled by the upcoming 2032 Olympics. The event will require extensive soil excavation for new infrastructure, including a proposed 63,000-seat stadium on a heritage-listed site. This presents an opportunity for archaeologists like Totivan and Kilderry to study the city's history and preserve its cultural heritage.
The William Street assemblage, a collection of everyday items from the 1870s to 1990s, was discovered during the 2011 floods. The University of Queensland Archaeological Services Unit (UQASU) played a crucial role in salvaging these artifacts, which offer a unique insight into the lives of people living in the area. The team carefully selected the most unusual and informative items, such as torpedo-shaped Hamilton bottles and ornate toilet seats.
Despite the lack of scientific value due to their violent dislocation, the artifacts hold immense emotional significance. John Duckett, a 21-year-old student, volunteers for digs, appreciating the physical connection to history. He contrasts the experience of playing video games with replicas to the thrill of touching actual artifacts from ancient times.
The race against time in archaeology is a common challenge, often associated with major infrastructure projects. However, the Queensland Museum's acquisition of the William Street assemblage was unique, as it resulted from a plumbing disaster. The UQASU team's dedication to preserving history, even in the face of overwhelming material, showcases the physical and intellectual aspects of archaeology, where every artifact tells a story.
