Dig deeper
Learn more about selected objects on display in Unearthed.
Follow the links below to access images and transcripts of audio recordings from the exhibition. Kirsty Beller, Dr Shane Ingrey, David Johnson and Clare Woolley from the Gujaga Foundation offer First Nations perspectives on key objects. Exhibition curator and archaeologist Dr Aaron de Souza provides further insights.
Recordings and transcripts
Significance
Kirsty Beller, David Johnson and Clare Woolley, Dharawal people from the La Perouse Aboriginal community, talk about the significance of the First Government House Archaeology Collection for their community
Middens
Kirsty Beller, David Johnson and Dr Shane Ingrey offer their perspectives on shells taken from middens and waterways by the British to assist with building the colony
Glass tools
Clare Woolley and Dr Shane Ingrey discuss how First Nations people adapted to the new materials that were imposed on them and their land after colonisation
Bone
Dr Shane Ingrey and Clare Woolley discuss the impacts and potential uses of some species of animals introduced by the British
Violence
Dr Shane Ingrey discusses objects associated with acts of colonial violence and their devastating impacts on First Nations people
Ceramics
Dr Aaron de Souza talks about a unique ceramic fragment found at the first Government House site
Bottles and glass
Dr Aaron de Souza explains an unusual and colourful phenomenon that affects archaeological glass