Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - December 5

Archaeologists continued investigations for the Church Preservation Project in EUs 19, 22, 132, and 137.

Archaeologists completed excavations in EU-22. This unit had fewer soil deposits that most units archaeologists have excavated on this project. Fewer deposits may suggest little disturbance after the initial construction episodes during the mission period. Archaeologists were able to reveal two limestone alignments. The north-south alignment was previously encountered in the adjacent unit but was better exposed this past week. The smooth façade visible in EU-22 suggests this would have been the exterior of the structure. The second alignment extends east-west and is possibly associated with the north-south alignment. There were few artifacts from EU-22, but archaeologists did recover a broken Tonala Glazed sherd and chert flake.

Archaeologists opened EU-19 on the north side of the Church. Excavations were completed by the end of the week, terminating at 150 cm below surface. This unit was almost entirely within a previously excavated unit, meaning there were no intact soil deposits. The exposure of the Church wall at this location was important so the conservation department could assess the masonry.

Archaeologists opened EU-132 on the south side of the Church and reached a depth of approximately 60 cm below surface. The southern extent of the unit is bounded by the wall foundation encountered in multiple units. Archaeologists also encountered two intrusions. One was a posthole that has not been fully exposed. The second intrusion was a circular soil change that impacted the wall foundation. The darker soil was riddled with roots, suggesting this may have been the past location of some type of ornamental planting. More investigation is required to confirm.

An additional unit, EU-137, was opened on the south side of the Alamo Church. This unit is positioned against the Church walls. Within the unit is a large concrete utility vault, which significantly reduces the amount of soil to excavate. There are several utility conduits that cross this unit and enter the utility vault. As a result, the majority of this unit includes levels with mixed context and historic impacts. Archaeologists reached a depth of approximately 110 cm below surface.