Search our website and collections

Go direct to State Archives online indexesGo direct to State Archives catalogue

Object analysis

Investigate what objects can tell us about the past by exploring these 3D scans of collection objects from MHSNW.

Students can move the 3D models 360 degrees on a screen and can view every angle of the object using a mouse. Although 3D models cannot adequately replace the use of actual objects, they allow for scientific analysis of items that are too fragile or too valuable to undergo frequent handling and share them with those who cannot visit in person. Click to the activity page on each object to find out more.

Close up view of an animal skeleton
Resource

Digging up the past

Use this animal skeleton, found at the site of First Government House, to develop students’ archaeological investigation skills and knowledge of animal biology

3D model of a stone object
Resource

The Gold Rush

How does this object relate to the Gold Rush and, if you struck lucky, what could a gold sovereign buy you in the 1850s?

3D model of a bone object
Resource

Toys in the past

Let your Stage 1 students explore this 3D mystery object to find out more about games played by children and adults in the past

3d model of a block of terrace houses
Resource

Susannah Place

Take a closer look at this 3D scan of Susannah Place, as shown in our Virtual Excursion ‘Solve It Using Sources’

3D model of a metal object
Resource

Convict life

What can this object from the 1800s tell us about convict life at Hyde Park Barracks?

Explore other objects

Close up of a ceramic bottle. This item was featured in one of our virtual excursions.

Learning resources

Explore our range of online resources designed by teachers to support student learning in the classroom or at home

Convict Sydney, Level 1, Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Convict Sydney

Objects

These convict-era objects and archaeological artefacts found at the Hyde Park Barracks and The Mint (Rum Hospital) are among the rarest and most personal artefacts to have survived from Australia’s early convict period

A group of students and Sydney Living Museums curriculum program deliverer Hannah at the Old Dairy as part of the Early to Rise program at Rouse Hill Estate

Onsite programs

Our museums, historic houses and gardens are at the heart of every school interaction. We offer immersive, curriculum-linked excursions for Stages 1 to 6

Sophie Reid, Producer – Learning Programs; Carlin de Montfort, curator; and Naomi Manning, Producer – Learning Programs, stand in front of a series of cameras as they present a virtual excursion. They are standing behind a table of historical objects in the Meet the Convicts room on the top floor of the Hyde Park Barracks.

Virtual excursions

Our interactive virtual excursions connect your class live with a museum educator and focus on specific curriculum content, concepts and skills. We currently offer virtual excursions for Stages 1 to 4