A body from the early-1800s is believed to have been found at a construction site at a Hobart school.
Police forensic teams were called to Hutchins in Sandy Bay to investigate the 200-year-old find around 2pm today.
There is estimated to be around 150 bodies at the site, with many more expected to be dug up as works continue.
“Police can confirm what are believed to be historical human remains were located during excavation work in Sandy Bay today,” a spokesperson told Pulse.
“There are no suspicious circumstances.”
According to the Sandy Bay Historical Society, the site beneath the school was once home to the 1870s Queenborough Regional Cemetery.
“Over 3,000 burials took place at the cemetery. Many of the early Settlers and Merchants of Sandy Bay and well known Hobart Town identities were buried there,” the society have detailed in the past.
“The cemetery originally occupied the site from the edge of Sandy Bay Road, extending up Nelson Road on the left, to where Churchill Avenue and the Hutchins School are today.”
The society said the Queenborough Cemetery Company ran out of money in 1913 before the site was purchased by the Hobart City Council two years later for the construction of the Queenborugh Oval.
“The remainder of the cemetery was used until it was closed in 1934 and was later dismantled in 1961 for the construction of The Hutchins School and associated sports grounds,” they said.
“In Peel Street, the headstones of many of the dead have been preserved in a memorial garden.”
“Other headstones from the original Queenborough Cemetery have been removed to a dedicated area at Cornelian Bay Cemetery in New Town.”
School to hold memorial service
The Hutchins School say they plan to hold a service in future at the Peel Street Memorial Garden to honour those who were buried where the school now stands.
“While it is known that the current Senior School site was once the Queenborough Regional Cemetery … It was understood all gravesites had been exhumed in 1961 and transferred to the Cornelian Bay Cemetery,” a letter to parents from Principal Dr Rob McEwan on Tuesday read.
“We wish to assure our community that the School will continue to work closely with Tasmania Police and the Coroner’s office to ensure all remains are treated with utmost respect and dignity.”
Students, parents and staff who have found the discovery upsetting are being offered support.
