A human jawbone, believed to have been imported from India and used as a teaching aid, has been discovered after being buried for about 140 years on a Christchurch estate.
The “very rare” find has led to the discovery of several artifacts from the late 1800s, including glass bottles, teacups and a kerosene stove.
The jawbone was excavated in February by contractors performing foundation repairs and pile replacement work at a house on Woodham Rd, Christchurch.
The police were called, but it was soon determined that the lake was a historic find and Heritage New Zealand (HNZ) was called in.
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Consultant archaeologist Sarah Erskine has since been tasked with staying on site as the earthworks continue, creating records and taking samples of what is found.
“The more they dig, the more we find. I have boxes and boxes of things,” she said.
JOHN KIRK ANDERSON/Stuff
A paraffin stove is one of hundreds of artifacts found in the property.
Erskine, who specializes in human remains, said the jawbone is part of an anatomical specimen for a dental or medical school.
With just one bone, it’s not possible to definitively indicate the individual’s sex, but they had “somewhat worn out wisdom teeth,” indicating they were probably in their thirties or forties.
Two metal wires run across the back of the jaw – the lower jawbone was found – indicating that it was probably used as a teaching aid.
Erskine said many anatomical specimens were brought in from India in the 1800s.
The remains appear to have been discarded with other household waste and buried in a garbage can.
JOHN KIRK ANDERSON/Stuff
The human jawbone is thought to date back to the late 1800s.
A kerosene stove, believed to date from the late 1800s, and glass bottles used to contain things like coffee, alcohol and ink were also found in the pit, along with remains of a slaughtered animal.
Hundreds of artifacts have been found throughout the property, mainly “regular household waste”, as well as some animal bones, oyster shells and scrap metal.
Erskine said finding human remains in such an environment was “very rare.”
“I’ve never come across anything like this at an archaeological site.”
In New Zealand, any material or place relating to the pre-1900s is considered an archaeological site and protected by law, with the authority required by HNZ to carry out any works that may affect the website.
JOHN KIRK ANDERSON/Stuff
Glass bottles, butchered animal bones and scrap metal were also found at the property.
In general, construction companies and developers would get a pre-work check to see if they need authority.
However, with the property in question, there was no reason to expect the presence of any archaeological material as the house was built in 1935 and there was no evidence of a house prior to that time.
The property was originally part of the 40-45 acre Chaddesden Estate but would have been a rear paddock several hundred yards away from the homestead. The estate was owned by William Cowlishaw, a lawyer and politician.
After his death, the land was bought by a wool merchant.
Erskine said there was no evidence that anyone was involved in a medical or dental business living or working at the property. She was still looking for a connection with a practice in the area.
JOHN KIRK ANDERSON/Stuff
Advisor archaeologist Sarah Erskine specializes in human remains.
“My working theory is that the adjacent properties may have used the empty lot for a garbage dump.”
Contractors at the site are now working on surface works, but the discovery of further artifacts remains possible if further groundwork is required for the driveway and drainage repairs.
At the end of the process, Erskine will write a report on what was found, as well as recommendations for any future work on the property.