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Archaeologists on show at Royal Exhibition Building Open Day

Members of the public will have the opportunity to see archaeologists at work at an Open Day for the archaeological dig at Museum Victoria’s Royal Exhibition Building, Saturday 14 November from 10am to 3pm. 

The Open Day will offer the public the opportunity to walk through a real-life archaeological dig and meet the experts involved in the project. Visitors will also get the chance to see artefacts uncovered from the dig. 

The archaeological dig is the first phase of a major project to restore gardens to the western forecourt of the Royal Exhibition Building, an area that until very recently was an unsightly asphalt car park. Funded by the Victorian Government, this three phase project, which began in October, will include the installation of an extensive water harvesting and storage system, including a 900,000 litre underground water tank, which will ensure a sustainable future for this much-loved Melbourne landmark. 

In the final phase, gardens and landscaping based on the original 1880s design will be restored to this important World Heritage site. 

The archaeological exploration of the site currently underway will search for traces of the historic garden beds and other original features. The dig, which is being conducted in partnership with Godden Mackay Logan (GML) and La Trobe University, will include analysis of soil for traces of seeds and pollen that will help identify plants that might have been part of the original nineteenth century garden design.                                                                                                                

Keep up-to-date with daily archaeological discoveries, interviews and videos on the Royal Exhibition Building World Heritage: World Futures website and blog http://museumvictoria.com.au/reb/about-us/world-heritage-world-futures/.

 When:              14 November 2009, 10am – 3pm

What:               Royal Exhibition Building Archaeology Project Open Day

Where:             Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens western forecourt viewing platform, located on the Museum Plaza in front of IMAX. If raining, a series of informal talks will be held in the Age Theatre in Melbourne Museum

Cost:               FREE 

Funding for this project was provided from the Victorian Property Fund on the approval of the Minister for Consumer Affairs.