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San Antonio, TX 78205

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Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - July 11

July 11, 2025

Archaeologists continued investigations at the Alamo Church last week. Due to weather conditions and the holiday weekend, fieldwork was active Wednesday through Friday. Three new excavation units were opened- EUs 14, 31, and 34.

EU-14 is located at the southwest corner of the Alamo Church, approximately 1 to 2 meters southwest of an archaeological unit from 1977. Prior to excavation of EU-14, archaeologists anticipated minimal impacts from previous construction. However, immediately beneath the flagstone there was an 8-inch slab of concrete. Within this concrete was an abandoned manhole cover. Further investigation by the archaeological support team found an abandoned metal pipe approximately 4 ft below cover. The manhole was resealed, and archaeologists will excavate around this utility. Further excavation revealed three additional utility pipes, broken asphalt, and another concrete slab, perhaps part of a former curb. These previous construction impacts have left mixed deposits, with few artifacts. By the end of the week, archaeologists reached a depth of approximately 80 cm below surface.

Inside of an excavation unit with an abandoned manhole at the bottom corner
EU-14 at approximately 80 cm below surface, photo facing west.
Clay marble recovered from excavation unit next to a ruler for size
Clay marble from EU-14.

Archaeologists also began excavation of EU- 31 on the north side of the Church. This unit is part of the drainage excavations around the Church and is smaller than previous units, measuring 2 m by 1.5 m. The top five levels are indicative of the landscaping deposits that were maintained over the past several decades. At the end of the week, archaeologists reached a depth of 60 cm below surface. The majority of artifacts are post-1950, such as nails and glass. However, archaeologists recovered a small metal key, a bone button, and a musket ball. These historic artifacts suggest mixing of deposits in the recent past.

Inside of an excavation unit with a whiteboard and marker in the center
EU-31 at approximately 60 cm below surface, photo facing south.
Key and a button recovered from excavation unit next to a ruler for size
Key and button from EU-31.
Small musket ball recovered from excavation unit next to a ruler for size
Musket ball from EU-31.

EU-34 was also opened on the north side of the Church last week. This unit also measures 2 m by 1.5 m. The top four levels of this unit mirror what was encountered in EU-31, with mostly modern artifacts. In level 5 archaeologists encountered a soil change across the unit. Against the walls there is a darker clay loam and the northeast quadrant of the unit has a sandier, lighter soil. The soil difference could be related to construction of the garden walls.

Three archaeologist working around an excavation unit outside of Alamo Church
Archaeologists working in EU-34.
Square area inside an excavation unit with a whiteboard and marker in the center
EU-34 at approximately 60 cm below surface, photo facing south.
Half of a white modern button recovered from excavation unit next to a ruler for size
Modern button found in EU-34.