Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - June 20

June 20, 2025

Archaeologists continued investigations at the Alamo Church this week, working in EUs 2B, 8 and 9. Excavation and final documentation was completed in EUs 6 and 10 early in the week.

Excavations continued in EU-2B. While excavating within the southwest quadrant of the unit, archaeologists revealed an exciting find—in situ adobe pavers at approximately 40 cm below surface. The adobe pavers extend across the entire southwest quadrant of the unit and was previously impacted by the installation of a clay pipe. After documentation the pavers will be preserved in place and the excavation unit will be shifted to avoid this feature.

Inside of an excavation unit exposing adobe pavers found at the bottom
Adobe pavers in EU-2B, photo facing north.
Inside of an excavation unit with modern deposit at the bottom
Excavations in modern deposits at EU-8, photo facing west.

Archaeologists began excavations in EU-8 this week. This unit is located against the east wall of the concrete acequia. The top levels of the unit consisted of modern deposits, such as topsoil and sidewalk gravels. Due to the modern contexts of the top deposits very few artifacts were recovered. Archaeologists reached a depth of 80 cm below surface by the end of the week. Very few artifacts were recovered.

Excavations at EU-9 began late in the week. This unit is located opposite of EU-8, on the west side of the concrete acequia. This unit has multiple utility lines and a sidewalk metal railing. Since excavations started on Friday, archaeologists were still within the modern topsoil at the end of the week, approximately 20 cm below surface. No artifacts were recovered from this unit.

Inside of an excavation unit with green piping on the side
EU-9, photo facing north.
Rock fragment artifacts from an excavation unit next to a ruler for size
Artifacts from EU-6.
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