Artifact Spotlight — Ceramic Pipe Stem

Kristi Nichols, Director of Archaeology, Collections and Historical Research
September 16, 2019
Fragment of a ceramic pipe stem
Approx. Date of Artifact: 1720s- early 1900s.

This ceramic pipe stem was recovered during the excavations associated with the Long Barrack. The fragment is from a larger piece that would have been a decorative pipe bowl and stem. It appears to be manufactured of a dark clay with a thin, clear glaze. This type of pipe would have used a reed.

Pipe use and tobacco smoking were common during the 18th through 20th centuries at the Alamo. It appears that this type of pipe was likely mass produced, and therefore may date to the 1800s.