In pictures: Fromelles artefacts

More than 6,000 artefacts were recovered with the bodies of 250 Australian and British World War I soldiers at Pheasant Wood in the French village of Fromelles. They include this Bible page with passages underlined.

This whole boot found with a sock and inner stocking is unusual because German troops are thought to have removed footwear of the dead before burials. Each item will help form part of the overall identification process.

This heart-shaped leather pouch, one of several purses found, contained a solid gold cross. Artifacts were found with every individual buried and all items were kept with the bodies as they were passed from grave to mortuary.

Metal objects like this compass were dried and carefully brushed, although corrosion could not always be removed. X-rays helped establish whether items carried something which might help the identification process.

Textiles, leather and other organic items were refrigerated in airtight bags and boxes to prevent microbial growth and further deterioration. It is unclear whether this is a jumper or cardigan.

Oxford Archaeology's finds manager Kate Brady said some of the items provided an insight into everyday lives and a sense of an individual's personality. These rosary beads were one of a number of religious artefacts.

This leather coin purse is another example of an everyday object buried with its owner. Others include a pencil, toothbrush, shaving brush handle, brace strap and a belt buckle.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, several smoking-related items were uncovered from the graves. They include matches, shown here, tobacco pouches, a metal lighter and a whole pipe.

Military items like this leather case for wire cutters turned up fairly frequently. While water and clay can be damaging, it also preserved some items because it blocked out oxygen which certain bacteria need to function.

A return train ticket from Freemantle to Perth

Archaeologists were stunned and moved when this well-preserved train ticket was found in a lump of clay. The unused return section from Freemantle to Perth was meant to take the soldier home to his loved ones.