AHS analyses 150-year-old timber piles unearthed at Brisbane Waterfront development
As Waterfront Brisbane construction works continue, important heritage work is being done behind the scenes to identify, preserve and display 150-year-old timber piles that were discovered during deconstruction.
The AHS team were brought in to analyse a range of heritage piles unearthed from the 1980’s Eagle Street Pier construction, and we discovered that around 80 of the piles actually date back to somewhere between the 1860s-1880’s.
Senior Conservator at One Conservation, Karina Acton, undertook in-depth testing and analysis of the piles, which are believed at this stage to have potentially been sourced from Moreton Island and used to service the heritage-listed Naldham House and surrounding trade docks and wharves.
The team are in the process of using the latest 3D modelling technology to record the structures alongside DNA testing and dendrochronology (the study of tree rings) to accurately determine the origin and age of the timber piles.
The piles range from six to nine metres in length and have been moved to One Eagle’s outdoor space to dry and cure in the sun. These historic artefacts will then be displayed inside One Eagle’s lobby to share with Dexus’ customers and visitors.
While the muddy conditions made salvaging the timber piles difficult, it helped preserve the timber and some of the original copper sheeting and bark is still intact; a remarkable find considering these piles are approximately 150 years old.
The iconic waterfront location once served as a key trading site in Brisbane, and through this rejuvenation and upgrade, the site will again become a thriving commercial precinct that pays homage to its rich maritime history.
We are thrilled to have assisted Dexus with the heritage piles, as they are prepared for public display, preserving and sharing Brisbane’s important maritime trading history.
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