Journal of Architectural Conservation
Volume 16, Issue 3, November 2010
Tuff Stone Masonry near Tower Hill in Victoria: Fragmentary Remains of Pioneer Settlement in Australia
Chris How, Marie Jackson, Catherine Woolfitt
Paper Summary
Examples of volcanic tuff in pioneer buildings have been identified in western Victoria, Australia, in the vicinity of the Tower Hill volcanic crater. A field study has highlighted the use of tuff (notably in small domestic buildings dating to the early years of the colony) and has prompted investigation of these fragmentary and often neglected remains, including assessment of their present condition. The study and petrography of the volcanic tuffs from several cottages and a church, coupled with observations of the building stones by James Bonwick made in 1857, provide further insights into the durability and weathering characteristics of the local tuff stones. These stones are comparable to those used extensively in ancient Rome, as described by Vitruvius, who provided guidance on their physical properties and use. Recent re-assessment of the deterioration of these tuff stones has shown just how relevant that advice remains today.
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Fig Figure 4 Volcanic tuff fireback of a former lean-to kitchen surrounded by an1850 Pleistocene dune limestone external wall (chimney excised).
Figure 9 Photomicrograph of tuffaceous sandstone composed of volcanic glass fragments, fossils, and calcite and quartz sand grains, from the south-west corner plinth of Christ Church, Warrnambool.
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Chris How, MSc Timber Building Conservation
Chris How is a structural/civil engineer who has been involved in the conservation of pioneer buildings in south-eastern Australia since 1973. He gained his masters from Bournemouth University (course run in partnership with Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, West Sussex) with a dating system analysis of historic buildings in south-west Victoria.
Marie Jackson, PhD Geology
Marie Jackson carries out research at the History Department of Northern Arizona University into ancient buildings with an emphasis on ancient Roman concrete and volcanic stone construction. She has a dual doctorate awarded in 1987 from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) and the Université de Nantes (France).
Catherine Woolfitt, MA Classical Archaeology, MA Art Conservation
Catherine Woolfitt is an archaeologist and conservator who trained in Canada. She has worked in the field of art and building conservation in the UK since 1993 and specializes in the conservation of stone and other porous materials in the context of historic buildings, ancient monuments and sculpture. She established Catherine Woolfitt Associates in 2008.
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