Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit
Surface Hill Historic Area SMYTHESDALE, Golden Plains Shire
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Statement of Significance
Source: Victorian Heritage Register -
The Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit consists of a large excavation containing a network of pebble dumps, tail races and drainage adits. Water for sluicing would have been delivered to the site by water races and then directed at the gold bearing deposits. The technology was introduced into Victoria in about 1855. The main period for hydraulic sluicing at Surface Hill was the 1870s. The Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.
The Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well preserved example of an early form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria.
Hydraulic sluicing of alluvial gold deposits is an important key ingredient in an understanding of gold mining technology as it was employed in country where water was plentiful and perennial. The Surface Hill Hydraulic Gold Sluicing Pit is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the cultural history of gold mining and the gold seekers themselves.
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Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 1
Author: Lorraine Huddle P/L
Year: 2003
Grading:
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SMYTHESDALE COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H1653
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FRASER'S HILLVictorian Heritage Inventory
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ROXBURGH CO.Victorian Heritage Inventory
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