Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1
Archaeology Research Design and Methodology
Archaeological Excavations and Monitoring
Heritage Assessment
Interpretation and Design
Post-Excavation Final Reports
Parramatta Connect
Parramatta LGA, NSW
Dharug Country
The Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) Stage 1 project is a 12-km two-way light rail track connecting Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD.
The PLR track traverses a significant cultural landscape, through and over important Aboriginal places, archaeological sites, institutional complexes and streetscapes which reflect the development of the city over thousands of years.
GML was engaged by Parramatta Connect to provide heritage services for the duration of the PLR Stage 1 construction phase. Our work focused on the management, archaeological excavation, conservation, and interpretation of Aboriginal heritage and historical archaeology in connection with the PLR corridor, including the excavation of three state significant sites.
GML prepared a joint Aboriginal heritage and historical archaeology management plan, a comprehensive archaeological research design and methodologies for implementation across the whole PLR corridor, throughout the early site investigations, archaeological testing and salvage, and during construction work. We provided heritage advice during design development and impact assessments for works affecting listed items and significant precincts. We also developed heritage interpretation content and design.
Several locations, such as Cumberland Hospital East, Queen’s Wharf Reserve and Robin Thomas Reserve, contained significant and dense Aboriginal and historical archaeological sites, often interconnected spatially and temporally.
Part of a Neale & Wilson sugar bowl dated 1784-1795 uncovered during excavations.
The project uncovered thousands of artefacts and offered a wealth of new information providing insights and understanding of Parramatta’s importance to First Nations people, early colonial settlement, early colonial military, agriculture and farming, colonial homestead life, institutions and institutional life, and urbanisation of the township of Parramatta during the nineteenth century.
Rare artefacts handmade from animal bone with etched letters, like sailors’ scrimshaw, were uncovered during the excavation.
One the cesspits uncovered – built with sandstock bricks made in c1792.
