Hotel foundations uncovered

Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of a hotel which operated in Dunedin’s Great King St 130 years ago.

The stone foundations of the Shamrock and Thistle Hotel were found during preparations for construction of the University of Otago animal research centre to be built  beside the School of Physiotherapy building at 303, 309 and 315 Great King St.

University of Otago property services director Barry MacKay said foundations of the hotel, which operated from the 1870s until the mid 1890s, were found about three weeks ago.

Timber foundations of neighbouring shops had also been uncovered.

The discoveries would not affect the construction of the animal research facility, which was due to be finished in February 2018, Mr MacKay said.

"We were always expecting to find the foundations of the previous buildings across the site, Mr MacKay said.‘‘The archaeological investigations have always been part of the project scope and timeline."

The university had notified Heritage New Zealand, the NZAA Site Recording Scheme and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum about the discoveries.

Any  building foundations which did not impact the new building would be left in situ, Mr MacKay said. 

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