Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - March 14

March 14, 2025

Excavations in support of Church preservation began in earnest this week. We started the project with one excavation unit—EU 3. This unit is located on the north side of the Church in Convento Courtyard.

The unit measures 2m x 2m and archaeologists reached a depth of 100 cm  below surface by the end of the week. The unit had multiple utilities running through it, including two old ceramic pipes and one modern PVC conduit. There are several strata indicating the redeposition of soil. It appears a lot of construction has disturbed the area and, so far, there have been no intact historical deposits.

However, there archaeologists have encountered some interesting artifacts. Several fragments of a ginger beer bottle and a partial ring were found in upper levels. There were also four buttons of various sizes. Archaeologists also recovered two musket balls.

Archaeologists working in the exterior by Alamo Church
Archaeologists in EU-3
Three fragments from a ginger beer bottle next to a ruler for size
Ginger Beer sherds
Four brown buttons next to a ruler for size
Buttons recovered from EU-3
Square excavation area with a white board and ruler in the center
EU-3 at 120 cm below datum
Ring with a square center next to a ruler for size
Ring found in upper level
Two musket balls next to a ruler for size
Musket balls from EU-3