There were rumours of missing children and dozens of young bodies quietly buried but excavation at an old Victorian orphanage site has found no human remains.
The police investigation at Ballarat's old orphanage, which closed in 1968, has now concluded.
Digging from Monday to Thursday cleared up speculation about the land, which is slated for residential development.
"No human remains have been located during the search and there will be no further police activity at the site ... the investigation has now been finalised," Victoria Police said in a statement.
Much of the site now resembles a paddock but from 1865 it had a huge dorm-style building that was Ballarat's orphanage.
It was home to thousands of children including members of the stolen generation.
The original building was demolished in 1968 and replaced with smaller cottages.
The land was sold to a developer in 2013, about the same time that the long-circulating rumours about burials were raised at a City of Ballarat council meeting.
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