I II I

! I I

,I ,

· .

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSl\!IENT

ST PATRICKS CEMETERYCHURCH STREET

NORTH PARRAMATTA

A REPORT PREPARED FOR THE ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY

SEPTEMBER 1993

WENDY THORP .

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

ST PATRICKS CEMETERY

CHURCH STREET

NORTH PARRAMATTA

A REPORT PREPARED FOR THE ROADS AND TRAFFICAUTHORITY

SEPTEMBER 1993 .

WENDYTHORP

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CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

1.0 Executive Summary 1

2.0 Project Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.1 Location and Parameters of Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2 Initiative for Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.3 Issues and Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 7

2.4 Methodology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.5 Authroship and Acknowledgemenst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . 8

3.0 The Evidence . ' 9

3.1 Archival Evidence - Historical Context 9

3.1.1 The Limitations of Documentation . . .. . 9

3.1.2 Alienation and Use as a Cemetery 9

3.1.3 The Environment of the Cemetery 10

3.1.4 Transfer to Parramatta City Council 11

3.2 Oral History . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

3.3 The Cemetery as a Social Document 12

3.4 Site Evidence '" 13

3.4.1 Landscape Components 13

3.4.2 Archaeological Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

3.4.3 Geo-Technical Evidence 14

3.5 The Potential Archaeological Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

4.0 Cultural Significance 17

Existing Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

The Embodiment of Cultural Significance .18

The Project 21

Road Construction in the Case of Burials in Situ . . . . . . . . . . .24

Road Construction Involving Exhumation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Impact on Significance

Notification of Department of Health . . . . . . .24

Relics as a Scientific Resource .25

Re-Interment of Relics .26

Supplementary Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Endnotes .27

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

The Heritage Act of NSW 1977 · ..25

· ..25

· ..23

· ..22

· ..23

· ..21

· ..24

· ..21

........••.•.... .

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:StPatlicks Cemetely Palmmatta

SECTION 1.0EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Background, Objectives and Methodology

The study evaluates the impact of a proposed road widerring project to be undertakenby the Roads and Traffic Authority on land that was associated with the formerRoman Catholic Cemetery of St Patrick's Church.

The work is an extension of a heritage study of the entire project area. The currentinvestigation presents a more detailed evaluation of the study area for the purpose ofclarifying, where possible, the extent, nature and significance of the historic relics (inthis case interments) and, if present, the protocols necessary to manage them duringthe future redevelopment of the land.

Existing archival evidence has been reviewed and consolidated and supplementaryresearch carried out for the purpose of providing precise locations, chronological andpersonal details of the interments or, at the least, providing a more accurateassessment of the potential archaeological resource within the study area. A limitedphysical investigation, an auger survey, was carried out to compliment this work.

Archival and Physical Evidence

There is a very limited archival resource now available for this site. It is sufficientgenenilly only to provide the broad parameters of alienation, use and closure. It maybe iriferred from this evidence that the cemetery was first opened in c.1823 and was incontinuous if declirring use until 1972.

It provided the last resting place for many inmates from a wide variety of charitableand public institutions and settlers from all over the colony. The gravestones andburial registers provide an important genealogical resource as well as providingevidence of changing attitudes to death, early local settlement and craftsmanship. Thisis the first Roman Catholic cemetery in Australia and contains the oldest mortuarychapel; it is a milestone of Catholic history. The documentary evidence, however, nolonger may be used to locate and identify specific burials within the study area.

The physical environment of the cemetery is an important landscape and monumentwithin the townscape. Within the study area are few visible remnants, however, of theformer use. The sandstone pads of the former position of the gates and remnantkerbing runrring to Church Street may be seen at the surface and one Chinese Funeral

Pagel

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St Patlicks Cemetely Pa1mmatta

Cypress. The latter is part of an avenue that leads to the mortuary; there is noevidence to suggest that it denotes or is associated with ethnic burials.

Physical Investigation

The paucity of documentation for the site, specifically to identify the presence orotherwise of burials within the study area, led to a limited auger survey being carriedout. This was for the purpose of providing new or complimentary evidence for thisissue. The results were equivocal; more intensive and larger scale investigation of thisnature is required to provide definitive evidence.

Potential Archaeological Resource

It may be concluded on the basis of the limited evidence available that:

• the only identifiable archaeological evidence within the study area is that of the baseof the former gate and remnants of the path and kerb that formed an avenue to themortuary chapel

• the Chinese Funeral Cypress is part of an avenue that was formed during the laternineteenth century to lead to the mortuary chapel. There is no evidence at all, and itis highly unlikely, that it indicates specific sites of burials of any ethnic persuasion.

• all historical evidence indicates the potential for an extensive and probablychronologically early series of burials within the study area, particularly towards thesouthern portion of the site.

• the limited physical evidence that has been made available is inconclusive and, inmany ways, contradictory to all possible expectations. This anomaly will only beexplained by additional, more comprehensive and destructive testing.

Assessment of Significance

The principal issue in evaluating the cultural significance of this site is how or wherethat significance is embodied within or about the place. Resolution of this matter is offundamental importance in evaluating the impact of the road works on thesignificance of the potential burials. The degree and nature of this impact defines themost appropriate management strategies.

Essentially it must be determined whether the site is principally important because ofthe physical relics contained within it (historical, aesthetic, landscape significance) orwhether those relics contribute towards or demonstrate a more intangible concept ofsignificance (social value).

It has been concluded that the principal significance of the cemetery is not embodiedby those visible symbols such as headstones, chapel of landscape elements. These maybe said only to contribute to or demonstrate that principal significance; they are notthe cause of that significance they are the outcome. It resides in the intangiblespiritual and community values that have been placed upon the site in response to its

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St Patlicks Cemetely Pa17'a1natta

symbolism and focus of fundamental needs and processes within that community.

In this instance social value is considered to be of greater importance than thesecondary "benefits" of historical information, aesthetic and architectural qualities.These do, of course, have secondary significance because of their own unique qualitiesand resources.

Project Description and Impact

The road-widening project is for the purpose of better management and increasingthe flow of traffic along one section of Church Street North. The works required inthe study area, which would become part of a new footpath and bus-lane, includeexcavation, relocation of utilities and the formation of new kerbing, guttering androad and path surfaces.

The excavation has the potential to reveal or disturb burials which might be containedin the study area. It is considered that the exhumation and removal of remains in thisarea does not have a detrimental impact on the principal significance of the site and is,therefore, not a contentious heritage issue.

However, the same work is likely to produce repercussions within the local andchurch community for reasons that are related to social sensibilities of the sanctity ofburials. The latter is not a heritage issue but is one that the RTA is advised to consultwith the community at length to determine the most acceptable way of managing it tothe satisfaction of all parties.

Management Strategies

The management strategies presented in this report have considered three possibleoptions:

• road construction where the site is found to the free of burials

• road construction where burials are left in situ

• road construction where burials are exhumed prior to redevelopment.

Prior to any decisions being made with respect to any of these options, however, themost greatest priority is for a precise definition of the resource. This could not beachieved in this work either through archival evidence or limited site testing. A moredetailed programme is recommended whereby large samples are cleared to thesurface of the underlying clay as a means of revealing interments or providing ageo-technical engineer with the opportunity to produce a more detailed analysis of thesite formation processes. The work will need to be carried out with an ExcavationPermit issued by the NSW Heritage Council or its delegate.

• Road Construction In the Case of No Burials

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St Pat1icks CemetelY Pmmmatta

In this case the principal requirement is for a limited recording programme of thosefew surface archaeological traces. The work must be carried out by an archaeologistand with an excavation permit issued by the NSW Heritage Council or its delegate.

• Road Construction In the Case of Burials Left In Situ

This option would be appropriate so long as there was an assurance that no roadworks (excavation, relocation of surfaces etc) would have any impact on the relics.Excavation above the site would still require supervision by an archaeologist underthe provisions of an Excavation Permit issued by the Heritage Council of NSW.

Apart from heritage issues, however, it is likely that community sensibilities may beoffended by the construction of a road over the site. The RTA should carry outthorough liaison with suitable secular and religious representatives to ensure theirinput and understanding.

• Road Construction Involving Exhumation

Several issues have been identified in the implementation of this option. These are:

* Impact on Significance

There is no objection to this option on the basis of diminished heritage significance.Removal of the burials may alter the state of the site and relocate the evidence but itwill not materially effect the importance.

* Notification of the Health Commission of NSW

If exhumation of intact burials is planned it will be necessary to apply to the HealthCommission. On the basis of the advice of the Commission the most appropriatestrategy in this situation is for the client to malce application to the Commission, whomay have specific requirements in terms of public health and safety and the removalof remains, for a single certificate. Notification will also need to be made to the localcouncil.

* Notification of the NSW Police Department

It will not be necessary to notify the NSW Police Department in the event ofexhumation on this site. Interment in a burial ground infers that all legal requirementsof identification and process have already been carried out. It would be advisable forthe RTA as a matter of courtesy to inform local police officers of any plannedexhumations.

* The Heritage Act of NSW 1977

The disturbance or excavation of land containing or likely to contain relics may onlytake place after an excavation permit has been granted by the Heritage Council or itsdelegate. Applications for permits should be made to the Secretary of the Heritage

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St PatJicks Cemetely Pa17'a1natta

Council and should also be discussed with the specialist staff of the Department ofPlanning.

* Relics as a Scientific Resource - Involvement of a Physical Anthropologist.

Exhumation of relics (human skeletal material) from the site may provide theopportunity for a physical anthropologist to analyse this evidence as a means ofacquiring scientific data with respect to demographic and cultural information. Thislevel of investigation would be of value only if the burials could be identified,particularly for the date of interment. The decision to involve this kind of expertiseshould be made if and when exhumation commences and the potential foridentification of the burials becomes clear.

Furthermore, the use of the skeletal material in this way is a particularly sensitivecommunity issue. It would be advisable, if the evidence lends itself to this type ofanalysis and the Department of Planning requires it as a condition of the excavationpermit, for the RTA to discuss the issue with the community to identify the mostsensitive way in which to manage it.

* Re-Interment of the Relics

If exhumations are carried out it will be necessary for the RTA to locate a site which issuitable for the reinterment of the remains. This ~ght necessarily involve thepurchase of considerable numbers of burial allotments. The cost of this commitmentshould be considered in the decision to exhume the remains from the site.

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Al'chaeologicalAssessment:St Patlicks CemetelY Pa1mmatta

SECTION 2.0PROJECTFRNMEWORK

2.1 Location and Parameters of Investigation

The subject of this investigation was land associated with the former Roman CatholicCemetery of St Patrick's Church. This is located at the junction of Church StreetNorth and Pennant Hills Road at North Parramatta and the study area encompassesthe ground between the kerb of Church Street North and the realigned boundary ofthe cemetery. The latter is indicated by the nineteenth century gates.

The work was undertalcen to determine the presence or otherwise of relics within theaffected land. A relic is defined in the NSW Heritage Act, Section 57, as

"any deposit) object or material evidence -

(a) which relates to the settlement of the area that comprises New SouthWales) not beingAboriginal settlement; and

(b) which is fifty or more years old."

In this instance the relics are the sites and remains of interments within the formercemetery site.

2.2 Initiative for Investigation

This work has been undertaken on behalf of the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW.It is an extension of a heritage study prepared by Order Architects which determinedthe impact of the proposed work on the heritage resources contained along the entireroute of the road widening project. This investigation presents a more detailedevaluation of the study area for the purpose of clarifying, where possible, the extent,nature and significance of the historic resource and the protocols necessary to manageit during the future redevelopment of this land.

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ArchaeoloEJi.calAssessment:St PatJicks Cemetely Pmmmatta

2.3 Issues and Objectives

The principal issues addressed by this work which are also the objectives of theinvestigation are as follows:

• whether archival evidence is sufficient to determine the presence or absence ofburials and, if present, in what numbers and in which locations.

• if archival resources are inadequate to provide these conclusions whether the samedetermination may be made on the basis of limited site testing.

• if burials are present in the stud area how important they are in contributing towardsthe significance of the site

• what impact the proposed work will have on the burials, if present, and how this willeffect their significance

• what strategies are necessary to manage the relics in the course of futureredevelopment.

2.4 Methodology

To achieve these objectives the following tasks have been carried out:

• a review of literature including the project heritage study and documentation as wellas other evaluations and heritage listings.

• archival research for the purpose of more accurately defining, if possible, the extentand nature of the resource or, as a minimum, more precisely defining thearchaeological potential of the site.

• liaison with relevant interest and management groups.

• a limited physical investigation to provide, if possible, complimentary or newevidence with respect to the presence or absence of interments, a profile of thesub-surface deposits, depth of overburden, possible density of interments, and soilconditions.

• an assessment of significance

• an evaluation of the impact of road works on the identified or potential resource

• the definition of management strategies which include consideration of excavationpermits, protocols, if necessary,s for exhumation and the retention, relocation orrecording of landscape or other elements.

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St PatTicks CemetelY Pa17vmatta

2.5 Authorship and Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared by Wendy Thorp. The geo-technical investigation wasundertaken by PPK Consultants Pty Ltd. The author would like to thank the followingpeople for their advice and assistance:

Ms Lisa Newell and Mr Ian Stuart of the NSW Department of Planning

Mr John Carse of Parramatta City Council

Ms Sue Davidson, Archivist of Parramatta City Council

Mr Denis Gojak of the National Parks and Wildlife Service

Mr Geoff Thompson of the Glebe Coroner's Court

Mr Ian Armstrong of the Environment and Health Section of the NSW Departmentof Health

Ms Martine Crasswell of the National Trust (NSW)

Ms Lorraine Simpson of Order Architects

Ms Judith Dunn, local historian

Ms Catherine Whitelock of the Friends of St Patrick

Mr Michael Wright (Edaw Pty Ltd) and Mr Michael Lehany (NSW Department ofPublic Works) for their advice on landscape elements

Mr Eric Rolls for his advice on Chinese burial practices.

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:St Patlicks Cemetely PalTamatta

SECTION 3.0THE EVIDENCE

3.1 Archival Evidence - Historical Context

3.1.1 The Limitations ofDocumentation

A wide variety of historical sources now have been consulted for this site by both localhistorians and the author of this report. These have included records kept andmaintained by Parramatta City Council, St Marys Cathedral Archives, the SydneyWater Board, the Lands Department of NSW and records held by the MitchellLibrary and State Archives Office of NSW.

On-going research has produced little more than the broad parameters of alienation,use and closure. Burial registers are incomplete and, particularly problematic for thisinvestigation, interment plans are now missing; further investigation in ParramattaCity Council archives has failed to locate the most accurate of these records. Itappears to have been misplaced for some years. The only surviving evidence of thisnature is the McNiff Dive and Associates survey of 1975.

If not a precise and detailed record of the burials that may occupy the subject land thefew surviving historical facts do, however, provide some indication of the potentialresource that is likely to reside in this area and which, therefore, will requiremanagement during the course of future redevelopment. The principal facts that maybe determined about this cemetery are presented in the following thematic sections.

3.1.2 Alienation and Use as A Cemetery - Deterioration

The block of land subsequently developed as the Roman Catholic Cemetery of StPatricks was first secured in 1826. This only occurred after some dispute with theGovernment. It appears that the site may have been in use prior to formal approvaland that, because of its valuable and strategic position, the government wished toresume it. This was not successful (1). The formal deed for the land grant was made in1846; it was regranted or confirmed in 1875 possibly because of some irregularities inthe original deed or title.

There is no primary documentary evidence to confirm that burials occurred on thissite prior to 1826 although the earliest headstones are dated 1824. Felton Mathews,the surveyor of the site in 1834, thought that it had been in Catholic ownership for atleast twelve years prior to that date (2), that is, in 1822. However, Father Therry (whosecured the site for the church), in an article to the Sydney Gazette during 1822,

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ArchaeologicalAssessment:StPatlicks Cemetely Pa17"Cl1natta

signaled his intention in that year to acquire a place dedicated to Roman Catholicinterments (3). This would suggest that the cemetery first came into use in c.1823.

The earliest burials in the yard, or at least those which may now be identified, appearto be primarily found in Section F. This portion of the cemetery is located at theintersection of Pennant Hills Road and Church Street with frontages to both. There isno systematic pattern of burial in this area as there are in others, graves are randomlysituated throughout the ground.

The cemetery contained an area of five acres, three roods and thirty-four perches. Itwas fenced in 1834 (4) and the alignment of this boundary was indicated on a survey of1844. The original western line coincides with the side of Church Street for almost itsentire length, that is, there appears to have been no formal footpath along thisfrontage.

In 1878 a survey of the site was conducted by Father John Rigney. He stated that,

lithe one Catholic Cemetery in the district is fenced in and has been blessedby theArchbishop. The graves are moderately well kept and designs ofthetombstones and their inscriptions submitted for approval" (5).

By 1881, however, it was noted that,

''All the graves ofrecent formation are well kept, the old graves not" (6).

It was still, at that time, well fenced in. A resident caretaker was appointed by 1885(7). During the 1890s the cemetery was described as being in a neglected state (8).

The cemetery, in an increasingly poor condition, continued in use throughout thetwentieth century. During the 1940s there was a move by local Council to close allcemeteries in the area of the city for health reasons, however, this was not acted uponat the time. The period 1945-48, in fact, was one of the final periods of intensive use ofthe cemetery. After that time fewer burials were carried out here, for example, onlythree burials were undertaken in 19854. The condition of the site at that time wasconsidered to be only fair (9).

In 1965 the parish priest, who had shouldered much of the maintenance, described thecemetery as livery neglected" (10). It remained in use, however, right up to the time ofits closure in 1972. At that time there were over 2,000 burials known to have takenplace within the grounds. There are now only four hundred memorials or gravemarkers. Vandalism has taken a heavy tolL

3.1.3 The Environment of the Cemetery· Features

There are few indications for the appearance of the cemetery during its earliest years.It is known that it was fenced from the 1830s onwards and some headstones remainfrom the 1820s. The remaining gravemarkers suggest that the earliest section in usewas in the southern portion of the site. Other than these facts, however, nothing more

Page 10

...Client:

Project:

Location:

WENOY THORP

Sf PA TRICK'S CEMETERY

NORTH PARRAMA TT A

Date:

Report No,

Sheet 1

SEPTEMBER 1991

01

of

62E052A

Figure

Job No.

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I~" I'" 'I

HANDAUGER BORE

EXPLORATORY PIT TRENCH(BACKHOE EXCAVATION)

LEGEND

LOCATION OF BOREHOLES81 EXPLORATORY PITS

NOT TO SCALE

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PPI( PPK Consultants Ply LldPPK HOUS£, 9 Blaxland Rd.. Rhodes NSW 2138Telephone (02) 743 0333

Environmental Services

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.

REF: .62E052A.390/RC/kmw10 November 1993

Wendy ThorpHeritage Consultant and Archaeologist12 Campbell StreetEASTWOOD NSW 2122

Dear Wendy,

RE: ADDITIONAL SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATIONPROPOSED CHURCH STREET ROAD WIDENINGST PATRICK'S CEMETERYNORTH PARRAMATTA

1.0 Introduction

PPK Consultants Pty LtdA.C.N. 058381 507Incol]lOrated in South Australiaformerly Pak·Poy & Kneebone Ply Lldincol]lOrating Longworth &McKenzie

Engineering, Planning andManagement Consultants

PPKHOUSE9 Blaxland Road, RhodesNew South Wales 2138PO Box 248 Concord WestNSW 2138 Australia

Telephone (02) 743 0333Facsimile (02) 736 1568

At your request, PPK Consultants Pty Ltd has undertaken additional subsurfaceinvestigation along the western perimeter of St Patrick's Cemetery, NorthParramatta in relation to the proposed road-widening of Church Street. Theinvestigation was undertaken to further assess whether the subject strip of landhad been previously used as a burial area within the cemetery.

Previous investigation was undertaken by PPK Consultants (report ref.62E052A.378 dated 28 September 1993) and comprised the installation offourteen handauger bores to depths of 0.8-1.5 metres. The current investigationcomprised a number of exploratory pits/trenches excavated by backhoe, toconfirm the natural soil profile inferred by the handauger bores and to providemore extensive exposure of the overburden soils so that the presence ofdisturbed ground and/or backfill could be more easily identified. The locationsof the handauger bores and trial pits are indicated on Figure 1 attached.

20 Investigation Results

All of the trial pits (except P2 as described below) encountered a natural profile,similar to that encountered by the handauger bores (refer previous report). Inexploratory pit P2 the upper topsoil/sandy layers to some 0.4 metres depth.appeared to have been disturbed and fragments of a vase and glass bottles wereencountered in the near-surface soils. However, the natural clay stratum at thislocation was encountered at similar depth to the other exploratory pits andappeared undisturbed. Widening of this pit/trench did not reveal any evidenceof previous deeper or more extensive excavation/disturbance.

P-PX- 2 -

3.0 Conclusion

On the basis of the previous borehole and current backhoe pit investigations itwould appear that the subject strip of land is generally in a natural state. Nodefinite evidence of burial areas/graves has been revealed by the investigations.

It is considered that the scope of investigation undertaken has providedreasonable coverage of the land to be reclaimed by the proposed road-widening.Whilst there is some possibility that the sites of former graves may have beenmissed by isolated test excavations, which may yet be revealed by more extensiveexcavation required for road construction, it is considered that there isinsufficient weight to the possibility that the land may.be affected to furtherimpede the proposed road works.

We trust that this report meets your requirements and thank you for theopportunity to assist on this more unusual project.

Yours faithfullyPPK CONSULTANTS PTY LTD

Robert CrossGeotechnical Manager (Sydney)

Encl. Figure 1: Site Plan

REF: 62E052A.390/RC/kmw10 November 1993

Wendy.ThorpHeritage Consultant and Archaeologist12 Campbell StreetEASTWOOD NSW 2122

Dear Wendy,

RE: ADDITIONAL SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATIONPROPOSED CHURCH STREET ROAD WIDENINGST PATRICK'S CEMETERYNORTH PARRAMATTA

1.0 Introduction

PPK Consultants Pty LtdA.C.N. 058381507Incorporated in South Australiaformerly Pak-Poy & Kneebone Ply Lldincorporating Longworth & McKenzie

Engineering, Planning andManagement Consultants

PPKHOUSE9Blaxland Road, RhodesNew South Wales 2138PO Box 248 Concord WestNSW 2138 Australia

Telephone (02) 743 0333Facsimile (02) 7361568

At your request, PPK Consultants Pty Ltd has undertaken additional subsurfaceinvestigation along the western perimeter of St Patrick's Cemetery, NorthParramatta in relation to the proposed road-widening of Church Street. Theinvestigation was undertaken to further assess whether the subject strip of landhad been previously used as a burial area within the cemetery.

Previous investigation was undertaken by PPK Consultants (report ref.62E052A.378 dated 28 September 1993) and comprised the installation offourteen handauger bores to depths of 0.8-1.5 metres. The current investigationcomprised a number of exploratory pits/trenches excavated by backhoe, toconfirm the natural soil profile inferred by the handauger bores and to providemore extensive exposure of the overburden soils so that the presence ofdisturbed ground and/or backfill could be more easily identified. The locationsof the handauger bores and trial pits are indicated on Figure 1 attached.

20 Investigation Results

All of the trial pits (except P2 as described below) encountered a natural profile,similar to that encountered by the handauger bores (refer previous report). Inexploratory pit P2 the upper topsoil/sandy layers to some 0.4 metres depthappeared to have been disturbed and fragments of a vase and glass bottles wereencountered in the near-surface soils. However, the natural clay stratum at thislocation was encountered at similar depth to the other exploratory pits andappeared undisturbed. Widening of this pit/trench did not reveal any evidenceof previous deeper or more extensive excavation/disturbance.

- 2 -

3.0 Conclusion

On the basis of the previous borehole and current backhoe pit investigations itwould appear that the subject strip of land is generally in a natural state. Nodefinite evidence of burial areas/graves has been revealed by the investigations.

It is considered that the scope of investigation undertaken has providedreasonable coverage of the land to be reclaimed by the proposed road-widening.Whilst there is some possibility that the sites of former graves may have beenmissed by isolated test excavations, which may yet be revealed by more extensiveexcavation required for road construction, it is considered that there isinsufficient weight to the possibility that the land may be affected to furtherimpede the proposed road works.

We trust that this report meets your requirements and thank you for theopportunity to assist on this more unusual project.

Yours faithfullyPPK CONSULTANTS PTY LTD

_.Robert CrossGeotechnical Manager (Sydney)

Encl. Figure 1: Site Plan

Client:

Project:

Location:

WENDY THORPST PATRICK'S CEMETERYNORTH PARRAMATTA

Date:

Report No.

Sheet 1

SEPTEMBER 1991

01

of

Job No.

62£052A

Figure 1

HANDAUGER BORE

EXPLORATORY PIT TRENCH(BACKHOE EXCAVATION)

LEGEND

LOCATION OF BOREHOLES& EXPLORATORY PITS

NOT TO SCALE

\\

\,\

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PM PPK Consultants Piy LtdPPK HOUSE, i B1axIand Rd.. Rhodes NST 2138Telephone (02) 743 0333Environmental Services

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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

ArchaeologicalAssessment:St PatJicks Cemetely Palmmatta

is known of any possible features such as paths or plantings that may have been part ofthe original design and plan.

The foundation stone for the mortuary chapel was laid in 1844. It was built over thegrave of the Reverend Thomas Macarthy and since that time has became the burialplace for several notable members of the Catholic clergy. The chapel was, for at leastpart of the nineteenth century, surrounded by a picket fence. A formal path led fromChurch Street, through entrance gates and an avenue of cypress trees, to the building.There are no other details known of the nineteenth century landscape of thecemetery. The formal avenue, however, suggests other symbolic plantings of thisnature and formal paths may have been features. The chapel was partially renovatedduring the 1970s.

The brick and iron fence and lych gates, at the southern end of the cemetery, appearon stylistic grounds to date to the 1920s. A photograph of the 1930s documents whatseems to be the remnants of a paling fence around the site. A programme of treeplanting, the spotted gums and brush box which surround the cemetery, was carriedout during the 1950s after donations were made for this purpose by local business men(11). These, plus the sandstone pads of the nineteenth century gates in their formerposition on Church Street, record the lin~ of the cemetery prior to the realignment ofits boundary on this frontage during the 1970s.

3.1.4 Transfer to Parramatta City Council· An Historic Site

Maintenance of the cemetery declined throughout the later years of the nineteenthcentury and particularly during those of the twentieth century. The continuingexpense and time required for its up-keep led to discussions between the CatholicChurch and the city authorities with respect to its transference to the local council.After cOJ].siderable discussion and some dissent responsibility for the site passed toParramatta City Council during 1974.

At the time of the transfer the Council commissioned surveys to reorganize the sitefor use as a public green space. The initial plans included provision for the removal ofsome headstones, construction of a memorial wall and the introduction of gravelpaths. This plan subsequently was modified for inclusion in the transfer deed. Thefinal plans encompassed designs for lighting and landscape improvements as well asthe introduction of some features such as the memorial wall.

During 1976 funding from the Heritage Assistance Programme was used to providesome upkeep and maintenance, particularly for the chapel. Some of the provisions ofthe revised development planwere implemented at this time although in a formdifferent to that outlined in the document, for example, paved rather than gravel paths.

It was at this time that a number of footstones and broken headstones were removedand laid into a courtyard beside the chapel. It was also at this time that the gates weremoved back and a road reserve created along the western boundary of the cemeteryon Church Street.

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Maintenance has tailed off over the years. The site is now used to dump rubbish, thereis vandalism of the graves and it is largely unfenced.

In it also are records of many settlers, some prominent public figures, from all theprincipal settlements of the colony including Parramatta, Windsor, the Hawkesbury,Field Of Mars, Vineyard and many others. Both the register and headstones are an

Burials are registered of occupants of the Female Factory (including fifty-five maleand thirty six female infants in 1840), the Military Barracks, the Benevolent Asylum,the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian Orphan Schools, the Lunatic Asylum, InvalidAsylum, Sydney and Parramatta Hospitals and the Poor House.

All of the historical evidence that is provided by oral sources suggests that the strip ofland encompassed by the six lane option has been used for burials. Approximately sixburial stones in or close to this area were relocated during the 1970s. The stones wereformed into a courtyard "feature"; the graves, however, remained undisturbed (1).This was confirmed by the gravediggers who carried out the work (2).

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During the 1960s gravediggers suggested that, on the basis of oral evidence handeddown to them~ up to five hundred burials could be situated in this area. There is noprimary evidence to support the contention. Local historians claim that oldermembers of the parish can recall burials marked by quite numerous headstones in thisarea right the edge of the former fence line. However, the precise locations andnumbers of the interments are no longer clear (3).

The burial register that documents the interments carried out between 1~40 and 1888provides-a clear indication of the value of the site as a document of social history. StPatrick's cemetery was the last resting place for many inmates of the institutions inand surrounding Parramatta as well as father afield. Reference to these institutionsalone provides evidence of practices and organisations that no longer exist, inparticular, they document a system of welfare and charity that is unique to thenineteenth century.

3.3 The Cemetery as a Social Document

3.2 Oral History

In 1976 the site, trees and mortuary chapel were classified by the National Trust ofAustralia (NSW). During 1986 and 1987 the Historic Graves Committee ofParramatta and District Historical Society undertook the recording of the still visiblegrave monuments. In 1987 a further grant made to the Council enabled somerestoration of the earlier headstones in the cemetery (12). The site has beenrecognized as an historic monument of national significance through its inclusion onthe Australian Heritage Commission's Register of the National Estate.

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outstanding genealogical resource. The prominence of the Irish population isparticularly evident in the names and iconography used on headstones; the latter isalso valuable in documenting changes in fashion and attitudes to death over manyyears, specific affiliations and local craftsmanship. The information contained withinthis cemetery is currently the subject of an investigation and study by the University ofWestern Sydney.

The physical evidence contained within this cemetery, apart from its milestone placein Australian Catholic history, also represents some of the earliest evidence forsettlement in the district. .

3.4 Site Evidence

3.4.1 Landscape Components

The principal landscape component in the study area is a Chinese Funeral Cypress(Chamaecyparis funebris). This is one element of what is likely to have been at leasttwo (and probably more) similar trees that bordered the entrance gates in theiroriginal position.

There have been suggestions that this species of tree was used to indicate thepresence of Chinese ethnic burials. Expert opinion on Chinese burial practicessuggests that this is extremely unlikely; it is unknown custom anywhere in Australia oroverseas (1).

The tree is part of the long avenue that leads from Church Street to the mortuarychapel; its disassociation from the entrance gates by their set-back makes thisrelationship now less obvious. This tree and the avenue of which it was a part is of aspecies that is part of the iconography of nineteenth century landscape symbolism. Itwas used because of its dark and "weeping" foliage to express suitably sombresentiment in the cemetery (2).

3.4.2 Archaeological Features

The principal archaeological features to be seen in the study area are the sandstonepads of the former entrance gates and remnant kerbing of the former path that ledfrom Church Street, through the gates, into the cemetery and to the chapel. At ChurchStreet the kerb has been dipped to allow entry for wheeled transport.

The number of headstones and gravemarkers that exist within the cemetery, apartfrom their obvious social and historical significance, are considered also to be a formof "negative" archaeological evidence. There are approximately four hundred of thesemonuments and over two thousand known burials. The discrepancy infers both thatthe area of the cemetery (as it was then defined) was more than likely full at the timeof its closure and, secondly, that the area utilised for burials must have extended wellbeyond the limits now defined by these markers to the edge of the ground (this

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appears to be confirmed by oral history).

Surveys carried out in 1966 and 1975 suggest that there is at least the likelihood of upto thirty persons buried in the area between the realigned boundary and the existingkerb. The sites of these interments or any others cannot be defined from any currentsurface indications. There is likely to be a very large number of unmarked gravesthroughout the entire cemetery and it is reasonable to assume that a considerablenumber may be found within the study area.

3.4.3 Geo-Technical Evidence

It was a priority of this investigation to try and provide both confirmation of theexistence or otherwise of burials within the road easement and to identify theirlocation. The existing archival evidence is inadequate for this task and there are noidentifiable above ground features that can achieve this identification.

The geo-technical firm of PPK Consultants Pty Ltd was commissioned to provideevidence of the sub-surface profile of the study area. It was anticipated that this workmight provide positive evidence of the presence of burials, their probable density andcondition. An auger survey was made along this area of land. This method was chosenas it could be carried out quickly, with limited disturbance and would not require anExcavation Permit from the Department of Planning. The latter may take up totwenty-eight days to receive after application has been made to the Department; thispotential delay could not be accommodated in the time frame of this work.

A series of bores were placed along the kerb side and within the former boundary ofthe cemetery prior to its re-alignment. Subsequently two augers were made in theexisting cemetery and close to a visible nineteenth century grave. It was anticipatedthat the samples from the three areas, one that should have been outside the area ofthe cemetery and two within its boundaries, might show evidence of the natural soilprofile, disturbance due to burials and landscape works, fill or levelling materialand/or possibly specific inclusions from the interments. It was also anticipated that thesample from outside the area of the former cemetery might be obviously different tothose from within the area of the cemetery.

The results of the work were equivocal. There was very little difference between anyof the samples in any of the three areas. A topsoil cover of approximately 200mm wasfound in all cases. A slight area of disturbance was noted in most, but not all, casesbelow this; in the auger placed next to the grave in the cemetery inclusions of earlynineteenth century brick were particularly notable as well as a deposit of clean sand.

Generally below this level was a layer of clay-sand to a depth of 400mm below thecurrent surface. Under this was a clay horizon to a depth of approximately 1.3 metres.It was in what appears to have been an undisturbed and natural state. There was noevidence in any of the augers of redeposition. This horizon of clay was found, onaverage, at 1200mm below the current surface. Below this clay, at approximately 1.3metres below the current surface were the first indications weathered sandstone fromthe bedrock. In most cases the augers were placed up to 1.5 metres below the current

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surface.

It is clear from the evidence produced by this survey that all graves must have beenexcavated into the natural clay horizon which is very close to the surface. However, inall the areas that were sampled, there was no evidence of any disturbance to this level,even in the auger that was placed close to an identified nineteenth century grave. Theclay did not appear to be redeposited, after excavation and reburial.

However, equally, there was minimal evidence of organic material, landscapeelements or former paths or surfaces. In short the results of the limited test samplingwere inconclusive.

3.5 The Potential Archaeological Resource

It is impossible on the basis of either the archival records and the physical evidence toidentify a specific resource and its location. However, it is possible to draw someconclusions with respect to a potential resource.

Although the cemetery may have been in use from c. 1823 the first headstones aredated 1824. The first registered burial was in 1839 and the earliest extant burialregister is from 1840. There is the strong probability, on this evidence alone, that thecemetery contains the graves of far more than the approximately 2000 known burials.

It seems an inescapable conclusion from the both the archival and oral historicalsources that the study area contains interments. It is also more than likely, based onthis same evidence, that there are considerable numbers of them and some fromperhaps the earliest years of the cemetery's use. These would more likely be foundalong the southern section of the land adjacent to Section F.

The limited physical evidence that is now available, however, provides noconfirmation of this potential. There are no surface signs of underground disturbanceand the augers provide no indication of any substantial disturbance of any land,particularly to the clay deposits. There was also no evidence of any significantalterations or additions to the landscape in terms of paths, gardens or fences.However, the bores were equally uninformative in the immediate vicinity of a lmownand identifiable grave site.

At this time, therefore, on the basis of all available evidence, it may only be concludedthat:

• the only identifiable archaeological evidence within the study area is that of the baseof the former gate and remnants of the path and kerb that formed an avenue to themortuary chapel.

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• the Chinese Funeral Cypress is part of an avenue that was formed during the laternineteenth century to lead to the mortuary chapel. There is no evidence at all, and itis highly unlikely, that it indicates specific sites of burials of any ethnic persuasion.

• all historical evidence indicates the potential for an extensive and probablychronologically early series of burials within the study area, particularly towards thesouthern portion of the site.

• the limited physical evidence that has been made available is inconclusive and, inmany ways, contradictory to all possible expectations. This anomaly will only beexplained by additional, more comprehensive and destructive testing.

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SECTION 4.0CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The evaluation of cultural significance is the basis of all historic site planning. J.S.Kerr, in "The Conservation Plan", has described cultural significance and the processby which it is defined as follows:

"Cultural significance is a simpe conceIt. Its p.,tr]XJse is to help inidentifying and assessing the attributes which make aplace ofvalue to usand our society. An understanding of it is therefore a basic stage in anypanning process. Once the significance of the pace is understoodinformedpolicy decisions can be made which will enable that significanceto be retained) recovered or at least impaired as little as possible. A clearunderstanding of the nature and degree ofsignificance ofaplace will notonly suggest constraints on future action) it will also introduce flexibility byidentifying areas which can be adapted or developed with greaterfreedom"(1).

This assessment considers the cultural significance of the entire cemetery. The portionof that former cemetery within the study area is, of course, encompassed by thisassessment.

4.1 Existing Assessments

The Heritage Study prepared for the road widening project addressed the significanceof the cemetery. The following issues were considered:

• Architectural/Aesthetic Significance

These aspects generally relate to the qualities of the chapel, the variety of headstonesand the contribution of all landscape elements to enhancing the site.

• Townscape/Landscape Significance

The prominent and strategic position of the site is noted in relation to the entrance toParramatta and its visual importance as green space.

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The statement of significance prepared from this evaluation was that St Patrick'scemetery was,

The genealogical importance of the information contained in the site was consideredas well as the attachment of local residents and the associations with significant groupsor public figures.

The existing assessment has adequately identified aspects of the cemetery'simportance; it is a monument within the town landscape, it is an important landscapein its own right, it is a milestone in local and Catholic history and it is an importanthistorical resource. It has also recognized that the site has IIsocialll value to thecommunity and specific groups within it because of their attachment to it.

However, it does not essentially address how this significance is embodied within orabout the site and, therefore, how this embodiment may be effected if a portion orportions were to be disturbed or removed through any future action. Essentially theissue is whether the site is principally important because of the physical relicscontained within it (historical, aesthetic, landscape significance) or whether thoserelics contribute towards or demonstrate a more intangible concept of significance(social value).

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I~•••ofhistoric and culturalsignificance within the Sydney region and withinthe state ofNew South Wales. Its status as the oldest undisturbed Catholiccemetery in Australia containingAustralia's oldest mortuary chapel givesSt Patrick's cemetery national significance which has been recognized byits inclusion in the register of the National Estate. 11 (1).

• Social/Cultural Significance

To address this issue it is, perhaps, easiest to consider a situation whereby some of themost visible relics, for example the chapel or the headstones, were removed from thesite. If this occurred it would, of course, have an adverse impact on both the historicalor genealogical information that is contained within the cemetery and would cause theloss of a valuable architectural example. A visible reminder of important events incommunity development would be lost. An action such as this, therefore, would notbe considered for these reasons.

4.2 The Embodiment of Cultural Significance

However, this statement really describes the effect of significance and some of theattributes of that significance. It does not precisely define why the site is important tothe community, the IInature and degree ll of Kerr's analysis, other than in particularlybroad terms. The issue requires clarification to enable an assessment to be made inthis instance of what role the burials, which may be contained within the study area,might play in the significance of the site and, therefore, the impact of the proposedroad works on that significance.

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However, while these losses would be of great detriment to the resources andenVironment of the site, they would not actually negate the reasons for why it isimportant in the community. A cemetery is a powerful symbol of the life and deathprocess of community growth, it is the outward expression of what has been called oneof the "rites of passage".

The physical attributes contained within it, the chapel, headstones, remains andlandscape, are an outcome of the need by a community to celebrate a "rite of passage".The headstone, for example, is placed on the grave to honour and commemorate amember of that community. In addition, it may have, or come to have, valuesindependent of that symbolism which may make it an important site or relic in its ownright. For example, in the case of the headstone, it may record family history or be anoutstanding example of a particular style that now has interest and worth to ourculture that is separate to its original reason for being placed in the cemetery.

-However, in determining the issue of the principal significance of the cemetery thesevisible symbols of the custom or rite may be said only to contribute to or demonstratethat principal significance; they are not the cause of that significance they are theoutcome. In this instance social value is considered to be of greater importance thanthe secondary "benefits" of historical information, aesthetic and architectural qualities.These do, of course, have secondary significance because of their own unique qualitiesand resources.

Social value has been defined as;

"... (the) collective attachment to places that embody meanings importantto a community. These places are usually community owned orpubliclyaccessible or in some other ways appropriated into people's daily lives.Such meanings are in addition to other values, such as the evidence ofvalued aspects ofhistory orbeauty, and these meanings may not be obviousin the fabric of the place and may not be obvious to the disinterestedobserver" (1).

Perhaps the best parallel to this issue is that of the First Government House site inSydney. The physical and visible evidence of this nationally important site is minimal.However, the cultural significance of it is considered to be outstanding because of itssymbolism of numerous important "rites of passage" (the founding of a nation,dispossession of Aboriginal peoples etc) and iconographic status.

Recently, elements of the physical evidence contained within the site (guard-house,wall etc) were removed after they were recorded to allow for the construction of atower. The significance of the site has not been lessened by this removal; it is still thefocus of these fundamental changes to both European and Aboriginal society.However, demonstration of that significance has been changed from a physicalresource within the ground to one of artefacts and records outside the site.

The principal cultural and heritage importance of the cemetery, therefore, is notembodied in the obvious monuments, although they have an important role to play. It

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resides in the intangible spiritual and community values that have been placed uponthe site in response to its symbolism and focus of fundamental needs and processeswithin that community.

Spiritual and community values, irrespective of the degree or visibility of evidence,are even more pronounced when those sites also embody strong cultural mores. Theburial of ancestors and the safekeeping of those places is a particularly strong ethicwithin our society. This is not a heritage issue but one that is certain to arise in theevent of the possible disturbance of the site. It should be managed in a way separate tothe heritage issues.

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SECTION 5.0THE PROJECT

5.1 Description of Project

The road-widening is to be carried out in two stages with the objective of providingadditional traffic lanes and bus bays and designated bus lanes and improved turningmovements at intersections between Victoria Road and Barney Road along ChurchStreet, in North Parramatta.

The widening of Church Street would involve narrowing some sections of existingfootpaths, the relocation of public utilities, the renewal of existing road pavement andupgrading existing drainage. Two schemes were considered, a 4/5 lane and 6 lanescheme. Mter consideration the six lane scheme was the favoured option. In this a buslane and path will be created in the road easement which abutts the gates of thecemetery.

• The works required to achieve this option on the Church Street frontage are:

• the removal of the existing sandstone kerbing

• stripping the topsoil

• excavation to a maximum depth of 0.5 metres below the level of the current kerb. Itshould be noted that, because the current kerb is lower than the ground which waswithin the former cemetery at the top of the slope, the excavation at this point wouldactually involve disturbance of the deposits at the gate to a depth of approximatelyone metre to reach the maximum depth at the kerb .

• the construction of new kerbing and guttering

• the relocation of existing public utilities. This does not mean, however, the excavationand removal of existing services (which will be left in situ). However, it will requiresome drilling for lighting.

5.2 Impact of the Project on the Resource

The heritage study prepared for the RTA considered the impact of the proposal onthe known resource. It was concluded that the immediate impact of the proposal

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would be to:

• remove several spotted gums at the southern corner of the cemetery

• remove the first row of brush box along Church Street frontage

• remove the Funeral Cypress and Poplar on the Church Street frontage.

It may be added that the work would also remove the small traces that remain of theformer and original position of the entrance gates and the remnants kerbing and paththat leeds to Church Street ~rom the cemetery.

It has been noted that the proposal is unlikely to effect any of the graves identified bythe 1975 survey. However, the principal issue remains that the road works may havean impact on unidentified graves. On the basis of the available evidence it isimpossible to confirm or deny the presence of such relics. However, it is possible todetermine a high probability for an archaeological resource of this nature within thestudy area. The excavations required for the project may have an impact on thispotential resource by either revealing or disturbing them.

5.3 Impact on Significance: Heritage Issues and Community Values

The physical removal of any burials will not adversely effect the principal significanceof the site as it has been defined in the previous section of this report. To use theexample of the First Government House site described in this report, the culturalsignificance of that site was not lessened by the decision to record and removeelements of it including the guard-house and other structures; that information sourcesimply changed form from relics within the ground to the artefacts and records storedaway from the site.

Exhumation of unidentified burials may lessen the full physical expression of the useand extent of this cemetery but it will not lessen the social value and symbolism of thesite. Exposure and removal of these relics as part of the road widening project is notconsidered to be a contentious heritage issue.

However, it is considered likely that the possible exhumation of graves may haverepercussions within the local and church community because of those deep seatedcommunity mores regarding the sanctity of burials. This is not a heritage issue and,therefore, is not addressed in any detail in this report. However, it is recommendedthat in the event of this work the RTA consult with both community and churchrepresentatives. This liaison should be for the purpose of determining the mostacceptable way to manage this issue to the satisfaction of both secular and religioussensibilities.

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SECTION 6.0lVIANAGEMENT

This section defines the strategies which should be implemented by the RTA in theevent of the disturbance of the study area. It presents three possible options:

• road construction where the site is found to the free of burials

• road construction where burials are left in situ

• road construction where burials are exhumed prior to redevelopment.

6.1 Definition of the Resource

The principal issue which could not be resolved by the current work is absoluteconfirmation of the presence or absence of burials within the study area. It may bepredicte

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6.2 Road Construction In the Case of No Burials

If the area is found to be free of interments then the only requirement for on-goingwork, other than the issues raised by the heritage study with respect to the ChineseFuneral Cypress and visual impact, would be for an archaeological recording of theremnant traces of the gates and paths. An Excavation Permit issued by the HeritageCouncil of NSW will be required and the record of the work should be lodged withthe Department of Planning, local Council and other archives as appropriate.

6.3 Road Construction In the Case ofBurials Left In Situ

From the point of view of heritage conservation this option would be appropriate solong as there was an assurance that no road works (excavation, relocation of surfacesetc) would have any impact on them. Excavation above the site would still requiresupervision by an archaeologist under the provisions of an Excavation Permit issuedby the Heritage Council of NSW.

It is considered on the basis of the available evidence that it is unlikely that theconstruction works will be able to completely avoid any interments. However, themore detailed physical investigation described in Section 6.1 should be able to providea precise level at which burials are encountered and this may be compared with theconstruction details.

Apart from heritage issues, however, it is likely that community sensibilities may beoffended by the construction of a road over the site. The RTA should carry outthorough liaison with suitable secular and religious representatives to ensure theirinput and understanding.

6.4 Road Construction Involving Exhumation

6.4.1 Impact on Significance

There is no objection to this option on the basis of diminished heritage significance.This issue has been addressed in previous sections where it was determined that theprincipal importance of this site is embodied in more intangible qualities than thosewhich are eJl.',Pressed in the physical remains and monuments. Removal of the burialsmay alter the state of the site and relocate the evidence but it will not materially effectthe importance.

6.4.2 Notification of the Department of Health NSW

If exhumation of intact burials is planned it will be necessary to apply to the HealthCommission. The protocols necessary to exhume possibly large numbers ofunidentifiable graves are unclear. Generally exhumation orders require a family

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member, executor or other appropriate person to apply for the order and to provide atthat time details of a death certificate.

Clearly this is not possible in this case. The most appropriate strategy, on the advicegiven by an officer of the Commission, is for the client to make application to theCommission, who may have specific requirements in terms of public health and safetyand the removal of remains, for a single certificate. Notification will also need to bemade to the local council.

6.4.3 Notification of the NSW Police Department

It will not be necessary to notify the NSW Police Department in the event ofexhumation on this site. Interment in a burial ground infers that all legal requirementsof identification and process have already been carried out. However, it would beadvisable for the RTA as a matter of courtesy to inform local police officers of anyplanned exhumations.

6.4.4 The Heritage Act of NSW 1977

The provisions of the Heritage Act which may affect the management andconservation of cemeteries are those which relate to relics. A relic has been defined inSection 2.1 of this report as any deposit, object or material evidence which relates tothe settlement of NSW and which is fifty or more years old.

This definition includes any feature or physical object from the cemetery which is fiftyor more years old. It can include headstones, moveable object and landscape featuresas well as the buried remains including skeletal material, caskets and any relicsassociated with either.

Section 139 of the Heritage Act states that,

''A person shall not disturb or excavate any land for the purpose ofdiscovering, exposing, or moving a relics, not being a relic subject to aconservation instrument, except in accordance with an excavationpermit. 11

Thus the disturbance or excavation of land containing orlikely to contain relics mayonly take place after an excavation permit has been granted by the Heritage Councilor its delegate. Applications for permits should be made to the Secretary of theHeritage Council and should also be discussed with the specialist staff of theDepartment of Planning.

6.4.5 Relics as a Scientific Resource - Involvement of a Physical Anthropologist.

Specialist staff from the Department of Planning have raised the issue that theexhumation of relics (human skeletal material) from the site may provide theopportunity for a physical anthropologist to analyse this evidence as a means ofacquiring scientific data with respect to age, diet, sex, disease and other demographicand cultural information.

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In terms of a scientific resource it is considered that this level of investigation wouldonly be of value if the burials could be identified, particularly for the date ofinterment. If this context cannot be provided and the skeletal material from the sitemay encompass the full time span of the nineteenth and possibly some of thetwentieth centuries the value of this forensic evidence would appear to be limited.

The decision to involve this kind of expertise should be made if and when exhumationcommences and the potential for identification of the burials becomes clear.

Furthermore, the use of the skeletal material in this way is a particularly sensitivecommunity issue. It would be advisable, if the evidence lends itself to this type ofanalysis and the Department of Planning requires it as a condition of the excavationpermit, for the RTA to hold discussions with the community to identify the mostsensitive way in which to manage the issue.

6.4.6 Re-Interment of the Relics

If exhumations are carried out it will be necessary for the RTA to locate a site which issuitable for the reinterment of the remains. This might necessarily involve thepurchase of considerable numbers of burial allotments. The cost of this commitmentshould be considered in the decision to exhume the remains from the site.

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SECTION 7.0SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTATION

7.1 Endnotes

Section 3.1

1. DUTIll, J. The Cemeteries of Parramatta St Patricks., 10

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid., 9

4. Evidence of Fenton Mathew. Quoted in Ibid., 10

5. From Catholic Archives. quoted in Ibid. 14

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. The Echo Suburbs of History: Parramatta

9. Catholic Archives. Quoted in Dunn, J. Gp Cit., 15

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid., 17

Section 3.2

1. Pers. comm. J. Carse Parramatta City Council

2. Pers. c.omm. L. Simpson Order Architects

3. Pers. comm. J Dunn

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Section 3.4III1. Pers. comm. E.Rolls

I 2. Pers. comm. M. Lehany and M. Wright

I Section 4.01. J.S. Kerr. The Conservation Plan

I Section 4.1I 1. Order Architects Heritage Study., 42

ISection 4.2

1. Johnston, C. What is Social Value., 10

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7.2 Bibliography

Books, Reports, Miscellaneous

Dunn,J.The Parramatta Cemeteries St PatricksParramatta and District Historical Society. 1988.

Johnston, C.What Is Social ValueAustralian Heritage Commission. 1992.

Kerr, J. S.The Conservation PlanNational Trust of Australia (NSW) 3rd Edition

National Trust of Australia (NSW)Listing Card St Patricks Cemetery

New South Wales Department of PlanningCemeteries Guidelines for their Care and ConservationDepartment of Planning. 1992.

Order ArchitectsCity ofParramatta Main Road No. 637 Proposed Widening of Church Street NorthParramatta, Between Victoria Road and By Street: Heritage StudyRoads and Traffic Authority. 1993.

Roads and Traffic AuthorityEnvironment and Planning Branch Main Road No. 184 and 637 Church StreetParramatta Widening in Two Stages Between Victoria Road and By Street Review ofEnvironmental FactorsRTA1993.

Maps and Plans

Public Works Department NSWParramatta Detail Sheet 48: 1886Sydney Water Board Archives

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