Buried treasures at site of former barracks

BERNARD ORSMAN looks at clues to Auckland's early history.

The skeleton of a large dog and a shallow trench are among the mysteries unearthed on the site of the former Albert Barracks in the grounds of the University of Auckland.

Archaeologists believe the dog could have been a Scottish deerhound that belonged to a Scottish regiment based at the barracks, home to hundreds of soldiers from the late-1840s until 1871.

A rare opportunity to excavate a 30 sq m section of the barracks on the corner of Symonds St and Alfred St in October turned up between 10,000 and 20,000 artefacts, providing clues to the military, social and economic life of early Auckland.

The dig, by university and other archaeologists, was partially damaged when an earthmoving contractor inadvertently shifted a spoil heap.

Among the artefacts are regimental badges from the 40th, 57th and 65th Regiments, buttons from the Royal Engineers and a hat badge from the 58th Regiment, or "Black Cuffs", which returned to England in 1858. Percussion caps and bullets from a Schneider rifle were recovered.

The dig also yielded large quantities of pig iron, suggesting there was a smithy on the site that could have made cannon balls, among other things, for the British Army, said consultant archaeologist Dr Rod Clough.

Other important finds were structural remains of the barrack wall built from basalt rock by local Maori, what is believed to be holes for water barrels and a mysterious shallow trench, 15m long by 3m wide, that Dr Clough said might have been a cool- store for food.

An aerated water bottle used by the early Auckland merchant firm of Brown and Campbell came to light, as did crockery transfer-printed with a willow pattern and other cups and plates.

Dr Clough said the crockery appeared to confirm stories that the barracks were the centre for social activities in Auckland, with cricket matches, balls and banquets.

John Barr, who wrote about the early history of Auckland City, believes the Albert and nearby Britomart Barracks were home to nearly 1000 men.

The Albert Barracks, the larger of the two at 9.3ha, contained stores, a hospital, an ammunition store and offices built of scoria and surrounded by a scoria wall up to 4m high.

The site was transferred to the Auckland City Corporation in 1871. Part of it was turned into Albert Park. Only a small section of the wall remains in the university grounds.

Dr Clough said months of work lay ahead cleaning, sorting, analysing and photographing the finds for a report that would provide the most detailed archaeological record of the Albert Barracks yet.

The university is funding the excavation and the report.

It has removed two historic merchant houses and demolished a third on the site and is building a student amenities block in their place.