Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - May 30

May 30, 2025

Investigations continued this week for the Church Preservation Project. Archaeologists resumed work in EU-1 and opened EU-11. Due to the holiday and heavy rain this week, archaeologists were in the field two days and one day in the lab.

Within EU-1 archaeologists excavated to an approximate depth of 140 cm below surface. The artifact count has decreased as excavations continued deeper into the unit. By the end of the week the natural hardpan, or R Horizon, was encountered in the northeast portion of the unit. Only snail shell and lithic debitage were recovered in the deeper levels.

A new unit, EU-11, was opened this week. EU-11 is located on the south side of the Alamo Church, within the old sidewalk. This unit is in line with previously excavated EUs 13 and 12. Archaeologists excavated to an approximate depth of 70 cm below surface in EU-1. Cultural materials included nails, brick, and glass. At approximately 60 cm below surface, archaeologists started to encounter cultural materials such as Spanish Colonial ceramics and an unidentified copper object.

EU-1 approximately 140 cm below surface, photo facing north.
EU-11 approximately 70 cm below surface, photo facing west.
Artifacts from EU-11.