Alamo Archaeology Church Preservation - September 5

Archaeological investigations continued at EUs 140 and 144. EU-140 is located along the south nave of the church and EU-144 is located along the baptistery. Both units are adjacent to a previously excavated unit from 2019.

Archaeologists continued to work in EU-140. Despite the presence of an old irrigation line, ferrous pipe, and wiring in the upper levels of the unit, archaeologists continued to work diligently. At approximately 50 cm below surface, archaeologists encountered a limestone footer associated with the original foundation of the church. Archaeologists proceeded to document the feature with a scaled plan map, detailing the length, width, and dimensions of the stones. No diagnostic artifacts were found associated with the limestone footer.

Excavations continued for EU-144. Like EU-140, archaeologists in EU-144 encountered wiring and utilities in the upper levels. At approximately 40 cm below surface, archaeologists uncovered a piece of loose limestone molding that fell off the church wall at some point in the past. Other artifacts within EU-144 consisted of nails, glass, and ceramic. Diagnostic ceramics include two Huejotzingo Blue on White rim sherds. Huejotzingo Blue on White is a Spanish Colonial tin glazed ceramic that has a wide date range within the early eighteenth century and into the late nineteenth century. Sherds are distinguished by a single blue band along the rim and a plainly decorated body.