MTS Heritage conducted an archaeological excavation for a development at 26 Elizabeth Street, Liverpool. Under the supervision and direction of Fiona Leslie, MTS Heritage’s Principal Archaeologist, as the approved Excavation Director, an 11-week excavation program documented early historical archaeological remains of Liverpool.

Undertaken under the approved Archaeological Research Design and S.140 Excavation Permit, the work identified and recorded a range of archaeological relics. Of particular significance were the remains of a small timber building located at the rear of the c1810 Hope Inn. Not documented in the historical record, the building was interpreted as being an open-sided gate house, positioned on the side of a known former gateway. Artefacts recovered from within the building’s footprint suggest that the occupants were consuming food, including shellfish, and drinking various liquids, including beer, wine and gin. In addition to these, fragments of a very early British Royal Navy cordial bottle were found at the site. The cordial bottles were issued by the Navy between 1760 and 1830 to help prevent scurvy. Archaeological evidence suggests the building was demolished by 1855.

The archaeological excavation exposed the remains of a substantial brick cottage built in c1840 that fronted Elizabeth Street, that was later reconfigured into two semi-detached cottages by 1875. Building remains included substantial brick strip footings, a series of double and single brick fireplaces that served 6 of the 8 rooms of this early building. No archaeological underfloor deposits were present, making it unclear if the building was used as a shop or solely as a domestic residence.

Further archaeological investigation of an early outbuilding associated with the c1840 cottage found that the original structure was constructed of timber with a gravel floor. This was later replaced with a substantial sandstone outbuilding that included a brick fireplace. The analysis of relics from this outbuilding confirmed that it was used for domestic occupation, possibly by a family with children. A high number of food and beverage related tableware and the presence of cow, sheep and chicken bones, indicated this building may have been used a kitchen. This outbuilding was again converted to laundries when the property was divided into two separate residences in the 1870s. The privies and an undocumented cistern were also identified at the rear of the property.

In addition to the early brick cottage, archaeological remains associated with ‘Glen View’ were identified on the adjoining allotment. Constructed by c1886 and demolished in 2018, the archaeological record confirmed the building was constructed on a series of brick pads and originally included a decorative curved stepped entrance. Evidence on the site also noted the building was later retrofitted with services, and included the construction of a laundry building, that also plumed and sewered. The original privy at the rear of Glen View was located. Its disturbed remains confirmed it was used during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century.

In general, the archaeological excavation confirmed that, whilst construction of the warehouses for the Peter Warren dealership in c1965 impacted the archaeological remains, it did not remove them. The full footprint of the cottage foundations, the footings of former outbuildings and associated yard deposits, remnant garden features, rubbish pits, privies, the cistern and evidence of early fencelines survived across the subject site. Significantly, many features recorded as part of the archaeological excavation were not documented in the historical record, including the disturbed remains of the small outbuilding associated with the Hope Inn.

The results of the open area excavation are documented in full in an Excavation Report submitted to Heritage NSW in accordance with the S140 Permit conditions.