Tag: Site Survey
From the Dig It Archives: Issue Two 1997
By Jessica Lumb
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Welcome to the second instalment of the Flinders ArchSoc blogging project, ‘From the Dig It Archives’! In this edition, we have two articles reproduced from Issue 2, 1997.
In ‘Message from the Chair’ (1997:2) President Matthew Rice calls Flinders Archaeology Society members to action – to volunteer for an exhibition at the Union Gallery; a trend we continue, as we recently called current members to action to volunteer at the ‘Archaeology Revealed’ event for About Time: South Australia’s History Festival.
In the second article ‘Report on the magnetometer survey of shipwrecks on Younghusband Continue reading “From the Dig It Archives: Issue Two 1997”
Prospecting the History of the Hills: Volunteer Opportunity in Prospect Hill
Over the weekend of the 29th and 30th of September, ArchSoc will be conducting a field survey at the site of the Deputy Surveyor-General of South Australia, Thomas Burr’s camp in Prospect Hill, South Australia. During this project we will be helping the Prospect Hill Historical Museum and the Prospect Hill Community Association Inc. to identify and interpret material evidence of the existence of the 19th Century surveyor’s camp, which was inhabited by Thomas Burr and his family during the c.1840s.
Participants in this project will assist ArchSoc in producing a high-quality, publishable report about the historical and archaeological backgrounds of the area. Following the field survey, participants will also help in collating the survey data to be included in a final report. The final report will be presented to the Prospect Hill Historical Museum.
Continue reading “Prospecting the History of the Hills: Volunteer Opportunity in Prospect Hill”
Old Plympton Railway Station: Mud Map
Here is a mud map prepared by an ArchSoc volunteer. This map was created using careful observations of the landscape and a pacing unit (measuring distances with the length of one’s stride). The hand-drawn map was then animated, as shown below.
Compare to this google satellite photograph:
As we can see, the scale is a little out, however, the mud map captures all significant features of the site. This comes in handy when familiarising oneself with the site and when internet access is limited.
Old Plympton Railway Station: Photography
Here are some of the photographs of the site, a greater selection can be found here. The platform is approximately 130m long, 10m wide and 90cm high, with a 30º slope at either end.
One of the things we were interested in was capturing the contemporary significances of the site and the ways in which contemporary people use and change the landscape.
Since the station closed, the platform was used by the community as a stage for public events. As far as the modern material culture can reveal, the site is predominantly used by people for exercise, picnics and to write graffiti.
Help us to answer our survey questions! We are really interested in what people have to say about this site. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please leave them below. We will keep updating this page as we process our data.
Old Plympton Railway Station: End of the Survey
Thanks to everyone that came down and enjoyed the day today, it was very successful (and a lot of fun!). We are in the process of compiling the data and will begin writing up our report during the week. We will post all final products to this page.
Old Plympton Railway Station: Site Surveys
For the last few hours ArchSoc has been recording the remains of the Old Plympton Railway Station. We have been recording features that can inform us of past uses and contemporary significances of the site.
We have had a lot of public interest in the survey with many archaeology and rail enthusiasts coming down to find out about what we’re up to. Many people that remember using the platform for community events have also come along to meet us and share their stories. We will be here until 4pm so if you can make it, come on down!
