Can you dig it: Workers Wren Lakeman and Joe Page at the archaeological dig opposite St Paul's Cathedral in Swanston Street. Credit:Eddie Jim

One thousand teeth, but alas no bags of gold, are among more than half a million artefacts unearthed at two archaeological digs in Melbourne's CBD.

Halfway through the six month excavation next to Young & Jackson pub in Swanston Street, clues to our ancestors’ lives are being unearthed daily.

Some had appalling tooth cavities, or smoked opium in glass bongs made from cut up beer bottles.