But, during the excavations to allow the massive Crown Wollongong residential complex to rise from the long-abandoned block, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of structures and artefacts that tell tales of much earlier times.

Most prominent are the remains of the Cricketers Arms Hotel, which was built in 1859 and remained until 1943.

Biosis senior archaeologist Alex Beben said his team had found the structural outline of the old pub, including its cellar, as well as a large collection of artefacts including coins, bottles and household items.

"We've got a stone cellar with good evidence of how it was used, so the area where they dropped the barrels down, a stairway and a large drain that has been used to combat the large amount of water that fills that area on a regular basis," he said.

Residents are invited to visit this area on Friday, as part of a public open day to exhibit these archaeological finds.

Combined with a similar excavation across the road, at the former Oxford Tavern site, Mr Beben said the Crown Wollongong site would play a "pivotal role in helping to fill in gaps in Wollongong's history".

"Crown Street has always been quite an important commercial thoroughfare in Wollongong - the main centre of the town right from establishment in the 1830s," Mr Beben said.

"We've been quite lucky to have a look at these two sites, which have helped fill in a very large picture of how the town was developing, and at key families which were operating these businesses."

Due to earlier construction by the Dwyer family, which owned the site from the 1930s, part of the site once home to a row of brick stores including Beatsons Butcher Shop was now "archaeological sterile", Mr Beben said.

"We were hoping we would get more in the centre of the site but when the Dwyer family took over the site, they put a number of large workshops through it and we've picked up on that but not much else," he said.

Mr Beben urged residents to attend the open day and asked for anyone who may have information about the site to bring it with them.

"This is a really good chance for the people of Wollongong to come along and get a really good feel for the archaeology within the town, and also to connect with their heritage," he said.

The site will be open from 11am-1pm on Friday.