Colonial road unearthed at The Rocks

A colonial street which has been buried and forgotten for nearly 100 years has been discovered in The Rocks.
The extraordinary archaeological site was unearthed during Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority’s refurbishment works at the heritage Mariner’s Church in April.
The discovery includes the remains of Bethel Street ‘ one of Sydney’s earliest roads ‘ complete with a sandstone curb, footpath and a two-metre high retaining wall.
Foreshore Authority archaeologist Dr Wayne Johnson said he was amazed by the discovery. “It’s almost unique that we should find such an intact streetscape. It’s frozen in time,’ he said.
‘Much of the street was buried around 1909 when a purpose-built Coroner’s Court was constructed at 102 George Street. This building was desperately needed as many coroner’s inquiries were being held in a nearby tavern.
‘Jurors preferred the tavern to the original morgue, because conditions in the tavern were actually better for storing bodies,’ Dr Johnson said.
‘The tradition is believed to have started around 1862 after a jury was subjected to viewing the body of a sailor which had been retrieved from the harbour and then stored in the warm and poorly ventilated morgue for two days.’
The Authority is currently examining ways to incorporate the find into the refurbished building so that it can be preserved and visible to visitors.