Hundreds of historic artefacts uncovered at Sydney Metro dig site

Building Sydney's transport future has unearthed a fascinating glimpse into the city's past.

Hundreds of items have been discovered at the Hunter Street Metro site, including the remains of a property belonging to one of the first colonial merchants.

The site's excavation director, Ronan McEleney, showed 9News artefacts, including a bone tooth brush from the 1820s and a cologne bottle.

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McEleney and his sleuths also found the 1820s remains of an old shop run by French-born merchant Prosper de Mestre

9News spoke to de Mestre's great-great-great-granddaughter Shirley in Carlingford.

She says de Mestre made his fortune importing goods into the NSW colony.

His goods included tea, wine, china, and exporting sealskins, she told 9News.

The remains of the house will be removed to form part of a display of artefacts found at the site.

"Special care is being taken to preserve these relics so that future generations can learn more about the Sydney of that era," McEleney said.

Other relics of interest that were excavated include gun flint and bullet shells, a result of the site's proximity to the George Street barracks.

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