Hope & Anchor INDUSTRY FEATURE
JOHN KELLY WITH ARCHAEOLOGIST DR JENNIFER JONES-TRAVERS, WHO IS INVOLVED WITH THE DIG AT THE SITE ADJACENT TO THE HOPE & ANCHOR. PICS: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES/NEWS CORP
Hobart Alderman John Kelly’s vision to build hotel accommodation on a prime site in the city has been temporarily paused – thanks to a discovery which has garnered significant interest. A n archaeological dig on land next to Hobart’s historic Hope and Anchor Hotel has been stopped after the discovery of Aboriginal middens. Owner, licensee and councillor John Kelly said the site was one of the most significant in Australia and Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania had been notified. “We’re in the process of gaining all the necessary approvals now that it’s bound to have more sensitive and important artefacts and findings on the site,” he said. “We had no real concept of what was there. We’ve been sort of unveiling this treasure trove of artefacts and more importantly, potential Aboriginal historical things as well. Not only is the site significant as one of Australia’s first European settlements but is of major importance to the Muwinina people of the South East Nation.
of the Derwent Estuary and was a place of cultural significance and gathering for the First Nations people.” The Hope and Anchor, Mr Kelly says, is Australia’s oldest continuously licensed venue opening its doors 217 years ago in 1807, just three years after Hobart’s European settlement. “This is just the start of a major project and who knows what treasures from the past will be revealed,” he said. “I am honoured and excited at the same time to be part of the unearthing of this sacred ground - It’s almost like being on the set of an Indiana Jones movie.” Archaeologist Dr Jennifer Jones-Travers said that the site on vacant land next to the hotel in Macquarie St was listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register as being of significance for the state for its archaeological importance. “I can say that that’s entirely playing out and we have found three really well preserved historical layers,” she said. “It is a really amazing and unique place with an opportunity to tell an exciting story. We’ve got the
“The hotel and excavation site are where the fresh water of the Hobart Rivulet meets the salt water
18 Tasmanian Hospitality Review Aug/Sep Edition
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