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Recovering Convict Lives

A Historical Archaeology of the Port Arthur Penitentiary
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Recovering Convict Lives takes readers on a journey through the lives of convicts in historical Australia, unravelling the personal histories and experiences of those who shaped the nation's early development. This well-researched historical account draws on diverse sources to reconstruct the daily lives, challenges, and societal contributions of convicts. The authors craft a vivid tapestry that highlights how these individuals endured and influenced the broader colonial landscape.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by historical narratives and enjoy delving into the personal stories of those involved in penal systems. It offers an insightful look at convicts' lives, providing a rich tapestry of history that connects personal narratives with broader societal developments. If you are passionate about exploring the interplay between history and personal experience, this will captivate your interest.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The World Heritage-listed Port Arthur penitentiary is one of Australia's most visited historical sites, attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. Designed to incarcerate 480 men, between 1856 and 1877, thousands of convicts passed through it.

In 2016, archaeologists began one of the largest ever excavations of an Australian convict site. Recovering Convict Lives: Historical Archaeology of the Port Arthur Penitentiary makes their findings available to general readers for the first time. Extensively illustrated, it is a fascinating journey into the inner workings of the penal system and the day-to-day lives of Port Arthur convicts.

Through the things they left behind – the sandstone base of a prison wall, a clay pipe discarded in a washroom, gambling tokens dropped between floorboards – this book tells their stories.

Series: Studies in Australasian Historical Archaeology

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  • Recovering Convict Lives
    The World Heritage-listed Port Arthur penitentiary is one of Australia's most visited historical sites, attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. Designed to incarcerate 480 men, between 1856 and 1877, thousands of convicts passed through it. In 2016, archaeologists began one of the largest ever excavations of an Australian convict site. Recovering Convict Lives: Historical Archaeology of the Port Arthur Penitentiary...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Recovering Convict Lives combines historical insight with archaeological research, making it accessible to general readers. The book is enhanced by numerous illustrations, including site plans and excavation diagrams, and offers a detailed summary of archaeological findings in a later section.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781743327821

Publisher: Sydney University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 November 2021

Country: Australia

Imprint: Sydney University Press

Illustration: 150 b&w ill., 25 colour ill., 7 tables

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 178.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 560g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Richard Tuffin is a historical archaeologist currently working as a Research Fellow at the University of New England. He has worked as a research and commercial archaeologist in Australia, the Pacific and the UK.

David Roe is archaeology manager at the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority.

Sylvana Szydzik is conservation project officer at the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority.

Jeanne Harris has 35 years' experience in cultural heritage and resources management in the USA and Australia. She is the owner of Urban Analysts, a consultancy specialising in the analysis of historical artefacts, and is a PhD candidate at the University of New England.

Ashley Matic was excavation director at Port Arthur during the two seasons of archaeological investigation undertaken in 2013. He has worked as an archaeological consultant and is currently part of the Historic Unrecovered War Casualties team in the History and Heritage Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force.

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