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San Antonio, TX 78205

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Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - July 4

July 4, 2025

Excavations within EUs 2, 8, and 9 continued at the Alamo Church last week. Archaeologists were able to complete work in EUs 8 and 9 by the end of the week.

Archaeologists encountered additional adobe pavers within the northern portion of EU-2. The in situ adobe pavers were accompanied by adjacent soil staining. The soil staining suggests some of the pavers were removed in the past. The pavers stop before reaching the northern unit boundary. Archaeologists reached a depth of 40 cm below surface before stopping for the week. Artifacts from this unit included Spanish Colonial ceramics, glass shards, lithics, and metal fragments.

Adobe pavers exposed below surface of excavation unit
EU-2 during excavation, photo facing north.
Adobe pavers, facing South, on bottom exposed surface of excavation unit
EU-2 adobe pavers, photo facing south.
Spanish Colonial ceramics, glass shards, lithics, and metal fragment artifacts from excavation unit
Artifacts from EU-2.

Excavations in EU- 8 were completed last week. Archaeologists excavated to the natural caliche layer, a terminal depth of 130 cm below surface. Overall this unit had evidence of previous construction, but it also included undisturbed strata closer to the bottom of the unit. Final unit documentation was completed shortly after excavations. Artifacts from this unit included ceramics, the base of a dark olive glass container, and a biface.

Limestone feature along interior wall of excavation unit
EU-8 East wall profile documentation, photo facing east.
Ceramics, base of a dark olive glass container, and a biface artifacts from an excavation unit
Artifacts from EU-8.

Archaeologists also completed excavations and documentation in EU-9. Archaeologists excavated to the natural caliche layer, a terminal depth of 120 cm below surface. This unit had significant construction disturbance, as evidenced by multiple utility lines. Artifacts from this unit included hand wrought nails, a 4-hole bone button, European ceramic sherds, and lithics.

Green pipe across side of excavation unit interior
EU 9 at 120 cm below surface, photo facing north.
Hand wrought nails, 4-hole bone button, European ceramic sherds, and lithics from an excavation unit
Artifacts from EU-9.