Step into the shadows of Melbourne’s history with Bones & Burial Boxes, a gripping exhibition that uncovers the hidden stories of the city’s most infamous prison burial sites.
Opening on 5 April at Pentridge Prison’s Warders Upstairs, this compelling display delves into the lives and deaths of those connected to Pentridge Prison and the Old Melbourne Gaol, revealing a complex narrative of crime, punishment, and societal attitudes.
Through rare artefacts and groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, the exhibition brings to light the grim realities of Melbourne’s penal system.
Highlights include burial boxes, coffin lids, and a sack used to transport bones, alongside funerary items like a mourning dress and phrenological busts that reflect the pseudoscientific practices of the era. Visitors will also encounter the stories of notorious figures like Ned Kelly, whose legacies are intertwined with the city’s criminal folklore.
The exhibition draws on findings from Heritage Victoria’s 2009 excavation of a mass grave at Pentridge, offering unprecedented insights into the lives of the incarcerated. It also explores the relocation of remains from the Old Melbourne Gaol to Pentridge, shedding light on a dark chapter of Melbourne’s past.
Bones & Burial Boxes is a thought-provoking journey into justice, memory, and the power of archaeology to uncover silenced voices. Open Thursday to Sunday (and daily during school holidays), tickets can be purchased online or on-site.
