The Hutchins School, situated in the suburb of Sandy Bay, Hobart, has grounded its future plans on some startling discoveries made beneath its soil. The prestigious boys' school was embroiled in controversy after earthworks for new construction revealed almost 2,000 bodies believed to belong to individuals buried at the now-defunct Queenborough Cemetery. This excavation, which started after bones were discovered by construction workers, has evolved to become the largest mass exhumation project recorded in Australia.
Rob McEwan, the principal of The Hutchins School, recounted the moment the discovery was made. "I was in my office, looking out my window and the excavators were just in the top corner of the site," he said. This initial excitement quickly turned to concern when he was informed of the human remains unearthed. The school was built over the grounds of the old cemetery, which operated from 1873 until it was officially closed for burials by 1934. Many have raised questions about how the school was able to construct over what was believed to be the remains of countless individuals without more thorough investigation beforehand.
The excavation team, led by historical archaeologist Brad Williams, uncovered remains from what they believe are 1,973 individuals, buried under the school's old hockey field. Workers have reported seeing coffins stacked six deep, adding complexity to the excavation and identification processes. The former Queenborough Cemetery, where many inhabitants were buried, had around 9,000 to 13,000 individuals interred over its operating years.
McEwan and other officials at Hutchins assumed the area had been previously exhumed, based on the incomplete historical records dating back decades. "It seems strange to say we were caught by surprise or blindsided, but at the time, that's how it felt," he explained. Record-keeping from the time of the cemetery’s operations was poor, leaving archaeologists to operate without clear guidelines on what had previously taken place on the grounds. Even today, the location of prior exhumations remains unclear, leading to the unexpected discovery.
The discovery shed light on some notorious thematics surrounding the cemetery’s past. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, public outcry arose over the state of Queenborough Cemetery. Reports surfaced of unauthorized complications due to improper grave-digging techniques, including instances of coffins being removed for new burials. Captain George Luckman, the cemetery's operator at the time, allegedly directed these questionable practices. One newspaper from 1911 documented how coffins were displaced without regard, giving rise to public health concerns.
With these historical insights, the investigation team set about unraveling the campus's buried mysteries. Archaeologists utilized both mechanical and hand tools to excavate the site, which has revealed burnt and damaged coffins, complicative factors for identification. Leah Ralph, one of the archaeologists, stated, "It’s been really positive to be able to identify people who haven’t had headstones for so many years, and it gives you a sense of being able to give them back their story, read about them and really humanise them." Currently, only about three percent of the coffins have legible nameplates, making the task of reestablishing identities like solving a giant puzzle.
The team has been painstakingly piecing together these identities using various historical records, including convict documentation and old burial registers. The nature of their findings has garnered noteworthy public interest, with numerous residents expressing concern for their own ancestors’ resting places, as many have relatives believed to be buried there.
"I would love to pay respect to him as our ancestor and to his mother, the convict… to show they are well-regarded and to give them a proper burial with a proper headstone," mentioned Hobart resident and descendant John Hanley, who reached out to Hutchins after hearing of the exhumation. His enthusiasm, meanwhile, was met with disappointment upon learning his ancestor likely remains buried outside the exhumed area.
While much has been unearthed, experts indicate this is only the tip of the iceberg, as records suggest there are still countless unaccounted for graves beneath the school grounds. Williams noted, "We only exhumed about 15 percent of the footprint of the original cemetery," highlighting the monumental task still at hand.
The school is currently exploring options for appropriate memorials for those identified through this project. With costs for the project reportedly heading toward $1 million, McEwan has expressed optimism at the opportunity for educational insight from the excavation process, saying, "Certainly we move forward far more knowledgeable about the site, its history and the need to be sensitive to any development." The remains of those exhumed are being relocated to the nearby Cornelian Bay Cemetery, where memorial services are planned.
This significant undertaking not only continues to unravel the history of the cemetery but brings closure for families who have long sought to honor their ancestors properly. The joint efforts of archaeologists and the local community have forged connections to the past and highlighted the importance of historical memory where long-buried secrets linger beneath our feet.
