Denis Wheeler and crew made an unexpected discovery while demolishing the Metro Plaza facade.
There's a large concrete beam which they presumed would be solid, however, upon cutting the first section out, they discovered it had a hollow centre.
Looking inside, they found an old bottle in tar paper, bound up with wire.
Resisting the urge to open it, archeologist Dan Mccurdy was called in.
The bottle was carefully opened at the mayor’s office at New Plymouth District Council, where they found an old well-preserved newspaper, a list of names – likely of those who built the structure which is now being torn down – and an old menu for the Devon, signed by the kitchen staff.
Photos below; screenshots from Seven Sharp's coverage 👇
