Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - September 12

Archaeological investigations continued at EUs 140 and 144 and a new unit—EU-135- was opened on the south side of the Alamo Church.

EU-135 is located on the south side of the Church and measures approximately 1.5 m by 2.0 m. Archaeologists reached an approximate depth of 50 cm below surface by the end of the week. The top levels of the unit were characterized by previous construction as evidenced by three utility pipes. At about 30 cm below surface, archaeologists began to reveal a stone and sandy mortar alignment. The alignment has a similar construction technique to Feature 51 seen in EU-144. It is possible that the two features are related. Recovered artifacts include construction material, metal and glass fragments.

Excavations completed for EU-140. Archaeologists terminated excavation at approximately 140 cm below surface when the base of the unit exposed the natural caliche layer. Final unit documentation will include mapping, photos, soil descriptions, 3D scanning, and GPS information. While this unit had few artifacts, a San Elizario ceramic sherd was found. San Elizario Polychrome ceramics were manufactured in Puebla, Mexico and was popular in Texas between 1755 and 1780.

Archaeologists in EU-144 excavated to a depth of approximately 130 cm below surface. A sandy mortar limestone alignment was encountered along the south side of the unit. It is possible that this alignment is related to the police substation that was built at this location in the late 1800s. The police substation is first seen on archival maps in 1885 and is gone by 1904. Archaeologists have encountered construction material, metal and glass fragments, some ceramics, and even some lithics in this units. The mixed assemblage is not surprising based on the disturbance of the deposits from previous construction of the police substation and more recent utility pipes.