Archaeology and heritage specialists for Victoria, Tasmania and beyond

Digging up a buried fireplace in the basement of the historic Theatre Royal @theatreroyalhobart on Halloween, waiting for the famous Fred the ghost to make an appearance! Seems like he didn’t want to watch us bucket out thick sludge to sieve… #sayinghitoFredtheGhost #halloween #spookyvibes #archaeology #archaeologylife #thesludgewillnotdefeatus #theglamourofarchaeology #artefacts

A beautiful flake refit recovered from our salvage in central Tasmania this week! Shared with permission from Aboriginal Heritage Officers.

We're in central Tasmania this week undertaking an archaeological salvage of an Aboriginal site. We've already got many great finds, and can't wait to share the results with everyone. Stay tuned!

Chris (Principal Heritage Advisor) and Nikol (Heritage Advisor) were recently involved in some historical archaeological excavations of a 19th century iceworks in Melbourne's CBD with @christine.williamson.heritage and @archaeologicalexcavations. Our team prides ourselves on our photography skills, and will even go to great lengths to get that perfect shot.... such as the Titanic pose as demonstrated by Nikol!

During one of our recent excavations in Melbourne’s CBD, our archaeologists recovered an interesting sherd of Annular Banded ware - a factory-made slipware ceramic with earth-tone colours and patterns. Annular Banded ware was typically manufactured between 1785 and 1840, produced in great quantity in England and the United States. After this date, this type of ceramic was only typically produced with blue bands, rather than the earthen colours of this sherd. The Banding was often used with other decorative techniques such as seaweed patterns, or the marble patterning (also known as 'multi-chambered slip') seen on this piece. These kinds of artefacts can be very useful to archaeologists when dating sites. For instance, due to the early manufacturing dates of earthen colours of Annular Banded ware, the presence of these objects could indicate that the site may be associated with Melbourne’s earlier periods of colonial development . Sadly, this piece of pottery came from a disturbed context, meaning it is limited in the amount of information it can tell us about the site’s date. Regardless, we thought this object interesting and thought we would share!

A very special meet the team post this week - introducing Latitude Heritage Director, Dr. Jennifer Jones-Travers! Jennifer has 20 years of experience as a heritage professional, archaeologist, artefact analyst and collections manager. She specialises in the delivery of high significance and high-risk projects requiring stringent, expert reporting and risk reduction planning. As a heritage practitioner, she has led projects at numerous places of state, national and world heritage significance in NSW, VIC and TAS. She has an excellent working relationship with regulatory authorities and Traditional Owner groups and is an advocate for early stakeholder collaboration to ensure good project outcomes. Jennifer holds a PhD in Archaeology with a specialisation in Australian historical archaeology and material culture, based on the assessment of Port Arthur’s archaeological and moveable heritage collections. Jennifer is the current Member with Expertise in Archaeology on the Tasmanian Heritage Council, as well as the Chair of its Archaeological Advisory Panel and member of both the Works and Registration Committees. #archaeology #archaeologist #australianarchaeologists #tasmanianarchaeology

Dr. Jennifer Jones-Travers (Latitude Heritage Director) is having a chat with Helen Shield on @abchobart Radio tonight at 8pm about metal detecting in Tasmania, highlighting the legalities and possible threats it may pose on Tasmania’s archaeological heritage. Jen’s on at 8pm on ABC Hobart. Tune in via @abchobart website!

Nikol and Jen have been busy investigating an early 19th century historical archaeological site in Tasmania over the past few weeks. Excited to share the results, but in the mean time, here's a snap of Nikol happily working through typical Tasmanian damp conditions! #australianarchaeology #tasmanianarchaeology

It's that time of the week... Another meet the team post! This time we're introducing Alistair Hobbs, Principal Heritage Advisor. Alistair has almost 15-years experience in managing Australia's heritage and is distinguished by his comprehensive expertise in managing archaeological places before, during and after development. His extensive experience spans Aboriginal and historical heritage initiatives across New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia, demonstrating his adaptability and breadth of knowledge. Alistair's proficiency encompasses the direction of complex fieldwork programs, including surveys and excavations, effective stakeholder and Traditional Owner engagement, client liaison, and the authorship of comprehensive reports. He excels in developing tailored management recommendations and mitigation strategies, with a proven track record of efficient outcomes for clients and ensuring cultural heritage projects align with industry best practices. Alistair's in-depth understanding of state and Commonwealth legislation and policy enables him to navigate complex cultural heritage management projects across multiple Australian states with ease. Alistair’s primary focus and enthusiasm in archaeology revolves around investigating early Pleistocene Aboriginal sites, which offer valuable insights into early occupation and land practices across Australia. He also enjoys excavating multi-disciplinary sites, encompassing both Aboriginal and historical archaeology, to gain in-depth knowledge about the sites and gather comprehensive data for meaningful analysis. As a full member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc., Alistair's commitment to excellence and professional integrity is evident in his work, making him a valuable asset to any project. #archaeology #Australianarchaeology #Victorianheritagemanagement #aboriginalculturalheritagemanagement

Another meet the team post! This time its Christopher Clark - Principal Heritage Advisor and Melbourne Lead. Christopher is an experienced archaeologist and heritage advisor, have worked for over a decade in Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Central Africa, Turkey and Egypt. He has extensive knowledge in the assessment and management of Aboriginal and Historical heritage places and has a proven track-record of delivering efficient, best-practice outcomes for the management of archaeological heritage. Christopher has directed a broad range of urban and rural archaeological programmes, including many large-scale excavations in Melbourne. Christopher is also extensively involved in Aboriginal cultural heritage management, primarily in Victoria, and has a deep understanding of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. He regularly prepares Due Diligence assessments, Permits and Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Tests (PAHTs), and has prepared numerous Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) through to approval for private and public sector clients. As part of this work, Christopher routinely collaborates with Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and frequently facilitates consultation between Aboriginal communities and proponents. Christopher is a full member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc, recognised for proficiency in both historical archaeology and Aboriginal cultural heritage. #archaeology #australianarchaeology #archaeologicalconsultancy #heritagemanagement #heritageconsultancy #victorianheritage #australianarchaeology

Kitting out the Naarm/Melbourne office! 🤓📝👔📤 #victorianarchaeology #heritageconsultants #officestyle #pleasevisitwehavecake

Meet the Latitude team! Nikol Ignatovic – Heritage Advisor Since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in both Ancient World Studies and Art History, Nikol has worked on both historical and Aboriginal archaeological sites throughout Victoria and Tasmania. Nikol specialises in site planning for complex, large-scale historical archaeological projects such as Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, Geelong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre and various Parks Victoria projects. As part of this, Nikol has experience in managing teams of archaeologists and stakeholder requirements. She also has experience in the study and exhumation of human remains, underscored by her recent bioarchaeological work with the University of Technology, Sydney Nikol is a skilled researcher and communicator who shares complex archaeological findings with diverse communities through effective public engagement, leveraging her multilingual skills to make knowledge accessible to all. She has also previously worked as a tour guide at Melbourne Museum, which allowed her the opportunity to directly engage with the public in a meaningful way. Nikol is an asset to the Latitude Heritage team and brings a wealth of archaeological skills whos knowledge and passion benefits our team, clients and wider community. #archaeology #australianarchaeology #archaeologicalconsultancy #heritagemanagement #heritageconsultancy #victorianheritage

We managed to catch the aurora australis from the nipaluna/Hobart office last week. It was otherworldly!✨🔭💫

Chris and Nikol having 2020 flashbacks during archaeological work in Melbourne's CBD this week! #archaeology #melbourne #melbourneheritage

“Some archaeologists came around trying to find the stables at this inn. I’d tell them more about it but I’m just a little ho(a)rse!” #archaeology #northernmidlandstasmania #nineteenthcentury #heritageinn #minifaunav2.0 #badjokes #thesehavetobethestablesright?

In central Tassy today at an early 19th century pub - unearthing history, recording archaeology, and investigating the inside of chunky steak pies. #archaeology #tasmania #tasmaniafood

We are thrilled to announce that we have welcomed new talented staff to our team, Principal Heritage Advisors Christopher Clark and Alistair Hobbs and Heritage Advisor Nikol Ignatovic. They're all incredible archaeologists capable of managing complex heritage requirements in a diverse range of settings. For comprehensive heritage services spanning multiple states, contact Latitude Heritage today and let us bring history to life, no matter where you are.

Watching the sand blow across the beach at Sundown Point State Reserve. Such an amazing part of lutruwita/Tasmania! #sandburnnotsunburn #aboriginalheritage #archaeology

Camouflage at its best! Look closely and you’ll see a little friend (about thumbnail sized) spotted during fieldwork on wukaluwikiwayna (Maria Island). #heritage #wukaluwikiwayna #mariaisland #fieldwork #camouflage #gladididntsteponit

Fieldwork snowed out? In springtime?! Life in lutruwita/Tasmania ❄️🌨️☃️🏔️ #snow #heritage #lutruwita #visittasmania #iwasbannedfromthrowingsnowballs

Did you know there were vaulted storerooms under the entrance courtyard at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery? Built between 1823 and 1826 as part of the construction of the Bond Store (which exists today), two vaulted storerooms were excavated into the side of an escarpment that formerly extended across the Hobart waterfront, the same landform being site to some of the town’s earliest colonial settlement. Next time you visit the museum, have a look at the bottom of the Watergate Wall—the sandstone lintels capping the entrance to the vaults are still visible. Recent works to the Bond Store and Watergate Wall were designed to avoid impacts to significant archaeological heritage. A hint of the brick-arched roof of one of the vaults was uncovered during archaeological monitoring and protected from further impacts. Latitude Heritage was engaged by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery to provide archaeological services for the project. For more information about this project please visit our website. @tasmuseum #heritage #archaeology #tasmania #museum #heritagetasmania #hobart The 1828 image of Hobart is sourced from the State Library of NSW.

The mobile site office is up and running! 👷‍♀️🦺🛻 #heritage #fieldwork #archaeology #archaeologylife #henrythehilux #mobileoffice

Watching the snow come in and blow over us during a beautiful day of survey in lutruwita/Tasmania 🌨️❄️🥶 #lutruwita #heritage #culturalheritage #winterwonderland #winter #survey

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) is inscribed on the World Heritage List as one of the world’s great archaeological ‘provinces’. Rock shelters in the region provide evidence of Tasmanian Aboriginal occupation over thousands of generation, going back at least 35,000 years. We were engaged by Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania to assess and record rock shelters in the TWWHA to assist with their research and ongoing management of this amazing area. More details in our bio! #culturalheritage #heritage #aboriginalheritage #tasmania #tasmanianwilderness

Last day of fieldwork in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area yesterday. More photos to come! #culturalheritage #lutruwita #tasmania #archaeology #cave #pleistocene

Cultural Heritage Practitioners of Tasmania celebrated its 25th year yesterday! Members visited a Probation Station complex with building ruins, a dam, quarry and a grave. Tasmania’s archaeological resources never cease to amaze… #culturalheritage #tasmania #discovertasmania #archaeology #historicalarchaeology

Bone disc button-making offcuts were recovered from underneath the floorboards of the Second Soldiers Barracks (now Officers Mess) at Anglesea Barracks, Hobart, alongside hundreds of textile pieces, scraps, old leather boot pieces and leather offcuts. The bone discs and buttons may have originated as good scraps from salt-beef rations imported by the British government to feed military personnel, convicts and in some cases civilians. The single-hole bone discs were likely used for military uniforms, while the three, four or five-hole buttons may have been issued with (and on) government issued “slops” clothing provided to convicts, civilians and military personnel to wear while off duty. These artefacts provide a connection to a widespread and early form of industry operating at military, prison and slave sites across the former British empire.

A long vacant institutional building that will hopefully have new life breathed into it soon… #adaptivereuse #buildingarchaeology #heritagetasmania #brick #arch

A tale of manslaughter, dishonourable discharge and transportation for life in 1830s Van Diemen’s Land. Private Thomas Lennon of the 63rd Regiment was found guilty of manslaughter after killing another soldier in a public house near Avoca, Tasmania. His jacket collar was recovered from beneath the second Soldiers Barracks (now Officers Mess) at Anglesea Barracks, Hobart, and provides a tangible link to this former soldier’s unfortunate story: https://www.latitudeheritage.com.au/a-soldier-s-jacket-collar-from-anglesea-barracks #archaeology #history #historicalarchaeology #historicalartifacts

One of the best parts about working in heritage is getting to take road trips through some of the most spectacular places, even in the course of one day! The landscape across lutruwita/Tasmania is amazingly diverse even across short distances. Here are a few snapshots from a road trip to the northwest last week to complete an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment. #culturalheritage #visittasmania