Recent excavations at the site of Oatlands Gaol in Tasmania have unveiled a poignant chapter of the island’s convict history. The gaol has a history of overcrowded conditions. It is historically significant – formerly the site of 15 executions – all gone now. Allan Townsend, the history projects officer for Tasmania’s Southern Midlands Council, and his colleague Brad Williams are spearheading re-excavation efforts to examine the site. This site has been preserved almost intact since its decommissioning in the 1930s.
As the 20th century progressed, they tore down the gaol complex after it fell into disrepair. Its unprecedented legacy continues to loom over the region today. Townsend describes the site as a “gigantic reminder that we came from convict roots and that’s the one thing everyone really wanted to forget.” The team is now working closely with the Tasmanian Heritage Council to obtain the permits needed for more extensive excavations. With luck, they’ll find even more intriguing secrets hidden heretofore under the surface.
Life Inside Oatlands Gaol
Prisoners at Oatlands Gaol suffered significantly during the establishment of this gaol. The cells, which were just 1 metre by 2 metres, were built to place jail inmates for small violations. All that filled these cramped quarters was a bucket, a straw mattress, and a blanket for warmth. Inmates often languished for two to three weeks in these dank cells. Yet, they might be caged up to 20 hours a day, or more.
It was a terrible life, Townsend said, looking back on all the conditions that prisoners lived through. Other prisoners spent less time in Oatlands. Those convicted of harsh offenses were typically transported to Port Arthur, an infamous prison. “If you did something really terrible that needed a long sentence, you’d probably be sent to Port Arthur,” he explained.
Even with their dark surroundings, Oatlands Gaol was additionally used as a town jail from 1863. But time went on and with a national decrease in the need for incarceration, the facility was eventually closed down in the 1930s. Excavations have recently uncovered foundations revealing the gallows where approximately 15 individuals were executed, further emphasizing the site’s dark past.
Plans for Future Exploration
The ongoing work at Oatlands Gaol is not only focused on its historical significance but on making it accessible to the public. Brad Williams expressed a vision for the site: “The end goal for the site is to have it as a publicly accessible, open-24/7 self-guided heritage site.” This visionary project aims to bring Tasmania’s convict past to life and help visitors understand it. In doing so, it gives them a unique opportunity to look back.
The team faced difficulties during their first forays, as the site serves as an active recreational facility. Williams remarked on their initial discoveries: “Even though we couldn’t have access to much of the site because it was still an operating recreational facility at the time … we knew then that we had quite substantial archaeological remains.” It’s the stories behind those artifacts that these students are excavating in their current project. Their ambition is to discover additional artifacts that tell the stories of the diverse populations that once populated its cells.
Community Engagement and Historical Reflection
As interest in Oatlands Gaol has increased, local community members have become more and more active in learning about its history. The team hopes to invite the public to join in on conversations about the importance of heritage preservation and heritage education. “It’s important for us to involve the community in these conversations,” Townsend stated, stressing the need for collective acknowledgment of Tasmania’s convict past.
The archaeological work at Oatlands Gaol helps to provide a narrative from the physical remnants of the past. It helps us identify and give voice to under-told historical narratives of national significance. With further excavations, both Townsend and Williams hope to shed more light on this terrible chapter of Tasmania’s history for generations to come.
