Bones and Burial Boxes: Digging Up the Past at Prison Burial Sites

Uncover the hidden history of Melbourne’s prison burial sites in Bones and Burial Boxes: Digging Up the Past at Prison Burial Sites, a compelling exhibition that reveals the untold stories behind some of the city’s most infamous institutions. Through rare artefacts and groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, the exhibition illuminates a shadowy chapter of Melbourne’s past. The exhibition focuses on two of Melbourne’s most significant historic prisons: Pentridge Prison and the Old Melbourne Gaol. Central to the display are objects unearthed during Heritage Victoria’s landmark 2009 excavation of a mass grave at Pentridge, bringing to light the lives and deaths of those connected to these sites in unprecedented detail. Visitors will encounter artefacts that breathe life into these stories and examine the infamous criminals interred at these sites, including Ned Kelly and others who shaped the city’s criminal past. Presented in partnership with Heritage Victoria, Bones & Burial Boxes invites audiences to reflect on the darker threads of Melbourne’s history and consider how archaeology uncovers voices long silenced. This thought-provoking journey connects justice, history, and the enduring human desire to remember. Content Warning: This exhibition contains themes and displays that may be confronting to some visitors, including discussions of death, burial practices, and executions. Tickets are available for pre-purchase from Mid-March.