Recovering Convict Lives

This book delves into the archaeological findings at Port Arthur, revealing the lives of convicts and the history of Australia's penal system. Recovering Convict Lives offers a compelling narrative.

The World Heritage-listed Port Arthur penitentiary stands as one of Australia’s most significant historical sites, drawing over 400,000 visitors annually. Built to house 480 men, the penitentiary witnessed the passage of thousands of convicts from 1856 to 1877, each with their own story. This rich history is explored in depth in Recovering Convict Lives: A Historical Archaeology of the Port Arthur Penitentiary, which makes the findings of a major archaeological excavation available to the public for the first time.

This extensively illustrated work provides an engaging look into the penal system's inner workings and the daily lives of the convicts at Port Arthur. Through the remnants they left behind—such as the sandstone base of a prison wall, a clay pipe found in a washroom, and gambling tokens hidden between floorboards—the book narrates their experiences. Each artifact serves as a gateway to understanding the human stories that shaped this notorious site.

Recovering Convict Lives not only highlights the archaeological findings but also emphasizes the importance of integrating diverse sources of evidence to create a nuanced understanding of life in the penitentiary. The authors successfully bridge individual narratives with broader historical contexts, inviting readers to reflect on the unwritten histories of Port Arthur and the legacies of its inhabitants.