Melbourne: The Archaeology of a World City

Abstract

Reviewing the results of several decades of excavation in the centre of Melbourne, Australia provides the opportunity to reflect on what archaeological evidence has to contribute to understandings of the colonial city. The city has been shaped by its role as a colonial entrepot, a gold rush port, and a nineteenth-century metropolitan center. Its rich archaeological record derives from the intersection of heritage controls and a development boom. Data from archaeological excavations drives new perspectives on Melbourne itself, revealing a city intimately connected with the gold rush boom that fuelled its growth. Archaeological data also shed light on the specific and distinctive historical circumstances that influenced the development of cities established in the nineteenth century, including transnational migration and trade along with emerging concerns over public health and sanitation.