Hi Folks,

A rather exciting event coming up in the not-too-distant future. Still on the establishing events surrounding our most well-known bushranger and latter-day folk hero, plans are underway to conduct an excavation at the site of the last seige of the Kelly Gang, in Glenrowan, near Wangaratta, in Victoria. The Ann Jones Inn cited below was razed to the ground by fire at the conclusion of the seige.

The following article appeared in the local press on 22 November in the Wangaratta Chronicle.

"HIGH HOPES: Kelly historian, Gary Dean, will be watching with interest as archaeologists probe the Ann Jones Inn site in Glenrowan.

By SALLY EVANS

FURTHER pieces of the infamous Kelly Gang puzzle are set to be uncovered through an archaeological dig in Glenrowan next year.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has called for tenders to carry out the excavation of the former Ann Jones Inn site, where the Glenrowan siege occurred between the Kelly Gang and police in 1880.

(With thanks to Sally Evans of the Wangaratta Chronicle for permission to post.)

That sounds as though it could be interesting Mickey. Hopefully and excavations will be filmed, we don't see much in the way of archaeology from down under, on our TV screens.

Already working on that one Tet!

Unfortunately, the full text of the article that I posted has been truncated to two sentences. The full version will be appearing with links to images pending at my other hangout.

I imagine you must have seen this one Mikey ?

Archaeologists find speared skeleton in Australia

A new report led by an archaeologist on the first evidence of death by spearing in Australia has been published in the journal Antiquity. The paper outlines the collaborative detective work that took place following the discovery of the skeletal remains of an Aboriginal male in the Sydney suburb of Narrabeen during excavations for gas works in 2005. A number of stone tools, interpreted as spear barbs, were also discovered at the site.

Stone Pages, Archaeo News

Thanks Tet, well spotted. I haven't caught that one as it doesn't look as though it's hit the radar of local press as yet, and I tend to take my cues from it daily. A really good find and study though. It would be really fascinating to gauge what kind of infringement of aboriginal law may led to this punishment and whether there are any traditional stories which may provide a background to it. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Many thanks.

An update on this project, used with permission, and all on track.

6 February 2008
Media Release
DIG to uncover story of Kelly’s Last Stand

The Wangaratta Rural City Council has appointed Dig International Pty Ltd as the consultant archaeologists to investigate the remnants of the Kelly’s Last stand at the Ann Jones Inn site, Glenrowan.

The legend of the Kelly Gang resonates with Australians as an integral part of our short history. This archaeological study will attempt to add depth to the stories and build on our knowledge and understanding of the life and times of Ned Kelly.

Professional Archaeologist and Project Director Adam Ford from Dig International will be working in association with La Trobe University to systematically excavate the siege site by hand. All artefacts recovered will be catalogued and any artefacts of significance will then be sent to the laboratory at Heritage Victoria for conservation. It is envisaged that this study will take place in April – May for a four to six week period. “These archaeological excavations at the site of the former Glenrowan Inn, the location of the Siege and Last Stand of the Kelly Gang in 1880 aim to uncover, record and conserve physical remains of the bloody Siege which claimed the lives of three members of the Kelly gang and two hostages” said Mr Ford.

This archaeological investigation complements the Glenrowan Revitalisation Project and at the conclusion of the study the site will take pride of place within the Ned Kelly Touring Route.