The Rocks archaeology
The Rocks represents one of Australia's best-preserved archaeological resources. Excavations in The Rocks have resulted in the recovery of more than one million artefacts, some of which can be seen in The Rocks Discovery Museum.
This collection has been the subject of on-going academic research, and objects are regularly loaned to museums around Australia for exhibitions on 19th century life in Australia.
From the 1970s to the early 1990s there was an increasing awareness of the importance of archaeological evidence and what it revealed about colonial life. Early investigations occurred in the mid 1990s at:
The remains at Foundation Park were incorporated into the public parks redesign, and Dawes Point was opened to the public in 2001.
The Rocks and Millers Point Archaeological Management Plan was developed in the 1990s and endorsed by the Heritage Council of NSW. It provides a detailed analysis of The Rocks region and forms the basis for archaeological management in the area in accordance with the Australian guidelines for heritage conservation, the Burra Charter.
Education programs are run by the Foreshore Authority's education and tours unit, Sydney Learning Adventures, in conjunction with the NSW History Teachers Association and the NSW Department of Education. The Authority also operates guided tours and open days to help visitors explore the area's heritage.
