Roadworks unearth snapshot of past

Remarkable discoveries found during work on the Petrie roundabout intersection have been donated to the Moreton Bay Regional Council Heritage Collection.

The unearthed items, excavated in the upgrades, included a range of commercially available products dating from the late 19th century through to 1970.

One of the finds, a J. Bosisto eucalyptus oil bottle, dating back to between 1880-1900), was one of Australia's first Indigenous botanical products to be refined, sold and exported.

The artefacts show the development of glass vessels and objects in this period, changes in manufacturing technology and give a glimpse into an era of Australian consumerism. 

Picture gallery - click through

All now have a new home at the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum at Old Petrie Town.

“This was an unexpected find,” Cindy Baharally, A/Transport and Main Roads Construction Team Lead, said.

“The discovery underscores the importance of conducting environmental and cultural heritage surveys, both before and during construction.

“After we discovered these artefacts, we paused works to ensure they could be preserved and carefully removed.”

Sher Mitchell, TMR Senior Cultural Heritage Officer, added: "The artefacts recovered from the Petrie roundabout comprise a snapshot of the local area from that time, where discarded household items were repurposed as road base as an innovative method of construction.

“A combination of glass, ceramic, stoneware and metal products that were both imported to and manufactured in Australia will now be protected in the local area where they were utilised.”

The Petrie roundabout works were completed in March 2022 with the upgrade designed to improve connectivity and safety, ease congestion and reduce travel times.