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describe them as opium-tincture vials, although Ritchie suggests they may
also have contained other medicinal compounds.
Item 765 (refer photograph 24a[i)) is a small square-sectioned amethysttinted
bottle, once again from 000s010w. The bottle has been made in a
three-piece mound, with the neck and lip being hand-applied, and the
whole apparently re-heated to produce a more smooth finish. It is intended
for use with a cork and probably of European or American manufacture. In
my assessment it originally held small pills.
Finally, item 237 (refer photograph 24a[ii) ) is a perfume bottle, embossed
down the face 'RIMMEL'. A similar bottle was recorded by Ritchie
(1986:194) as being from the Ha Fong rockshelter in Central Otago, New
Zealand. Ritchie commented upon the unexpectedness of the find and
'presumed, in the absence of women, these products were used for male
cosmetic purposes' . I suggest the at least occasional presence of women
such as Matilda Murrilis (see page 81) is the more likely explanation.
8.1.7j Nails
The assemblage of artefacts from Chinaman's Well includes six nails or
spikes. Of these items 632, 637 and 641 came from quadrat 045s065e, the
same quad as contained woodworking tools, horse shoes and other metal
artefacts.
Item 632 (not photographed) is a badly corroded spike 218mm long. It
appears to have been round-shafted and to have had a flat head. The
point is sharp as opposed to chisel-shaped.
Item 637 (refer photograph 24b[i)) is a "Eubank's" wrought nail 95mm in
length, while item 641 comprises two part nails - one is rose- headed, but
too corroded for the shaft to be positively described. The other is the point
of a square-shafted nail. The first is 25mm long, the second 23mm.
Item 719 (refer photograph 24b[ii)) is a small spike 133mm in overall
length. It is rectangular-shafted and wedge-pointed, with a typical
"Eubank's" head. It came from quadrat 000s005w - that is, in a general
direction from the survey origin towards the stone hut, and could possibly
have been related to the hut. If so, it would typically be used for roofing.
The final item is badly corroded and accordingly has been left
undiscussed. Of interest is the relatively large size of the nails found at
Chinaman's Well. This feature of the assemblage is perhaps a product of
relative survival, but even small nails have survived at the other site (refer
para 8.2.7j). A possible interpretation is that the structures at this site
lacked the finishing touches which would necessitate the use of smaller
nails. They may not have had framed windows or shelves, for example. It
is also possible that furnishings in which smaller nails were used were
removed wholly from the site when the occupants left.