Four sites in the Harrietville Chinese Mining Village were excavated by The Uncovered Past Institute in 2017 - a possible dwelling site (WC1) in the western end of the village, a mysterious stone feature (Stone Feature 1 - SF1) set into a bank of earth, and two sections of a now-disused water race which once supplied water for the village and its vegetable gardens.
These photographs show the way in which Stone Feature 1 was excavated to reveal extensive flooring made of flagstones.
Stone Feature 1 - prior to excavation (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - the first floor stones are revealed (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - More stone flooring revealed (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - And more stone flooring revealed (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - Full extent of remaining floor stones becomes evident (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - Working on the site’s perimeter (photo: Melissa Dunk)
Stone Feature 1 - Final extent of excavation (photo: Paul Macgregor)