Summary

This fragment from a copper opium tin was excavated during one of the digs at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003.

Cultural diversity in Little Lon.
Little Lon was home to a diverse population. Germans, Jews and Irish arrived in the mid 19th century; Chinese, southern Europeans and Syrians (Lebanese) in the 1880s; and Italians in the 1890s. Immigrants sometimes brought objects with them to remind them of home, or purchased new items that re-affirmed national loyalties. Pipes, vases or plates were decorated with flags, military heroes, an Irish lyre or English roses. The amount of foreign currency excavated also attests to diversity of the immigrants who frequented Little Lon.

Physical Description

This is a thin fragment of copper from part of a small opium tin. It has become encrusted.

Physical Description

Opium tin fragment, from side of tin. 75 x 23 mm. Part of a copper opium tin.

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