The Lawrence community is excited at the prospect of what an archaeological proposal might unearth about historical remains of Chinese goldminers in Otago.
University of Otago bio-archaeological researchers will be speaking to the Lawrence community tonight about a proposal to study the lives of members of the Otago goldfields Chinese community by examining remains at the Lawrence cemetery.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times, Clutha District Cr Geoff Blackmore said it would be ''exciting'' to see if there were existing graves outside the cemetery.
''As far as their research goes, that's exciting as well.''.
He was personally in favour of the proposal but was aware there may be community members who may want to find out more information before a decision was made.
The researchers had approached the Clutha District Council, Lawrence community board members and local members of the Chinese community about the proposal.
Otago bio-archaeological Prof Hallie Buckley will lead the proposed project to use ''state of the art'' DNA techniques, isotopic analysis and study of the conditions of bones from the cemetery to learn more about the health and lives of the settlers.
The research team proposed to study the remains of those at the edge of the current Lawrence cemetery believed to be Chinese miners and possibly impoverished European settlers from the community.
The researchers also wanted to study the site of the former Lawrence cemetery from which bodies were shifted to the ''new'' Lawrence cemetery.
Prof Buckley said there were ''rumours'' of one body which was left at the former cemetery.
She was interested to find out if the rumour proved true.
The land was now privately owned and the owners had been approached about the proposal.
Prof Buckley understood they were in support of the exhumation.
The bio-archaeologists will share details of the proposal at 6.30pm tonight at the St John Centre in Ross Pl at Lawrence.
