Emily Chan
During the week of October 22, 2023, archaeologists unearthed a collection of artifacts at the Alamo, which marks the most recent artifacts uncovered there. The Alamo is a 300-year-old historical site located in San Antonio, Texas.
It was founded in the eighteenth century by Roman Catholic missionaries. The Alamo is also the site of a battle that took place in 1836 when Mexican troops laid siege on the complex for thirteen days against Texan forces.
Mexican forces overpowered the Texans in the end, but they were eventually defeated by Texan rebels fighting for the state of Texas to be independent of Mexico.
The Alamo has become a symbol of resistance and strength as Texan forces did not back down even though they were clearly outnumbered. The historical significance of the Alamo has made the site worth preserving.
Although archaeologists had a shorter excavation week because of rainy weather, they still made some major finds that generated plenty of excitement.
The newly discovered artifacts were excavated at the Alamo’s Long Barrack and were dug up from charcoal-rich silty clay soil around the perimeter wall.
Among the items were two musket balls, gunflints, glass shards, European earthenware, and Spanish colonial ceramic pieces.
The Long Barrack is the oldest original structure still standing on the historic site. It originally served as the living quarters and offices of Spanish missionaries.
In an effort to preserve the building, a drainage system project began after the Long Barrack encountered a water filtration issue earlier in the year due to an unusually wet spring season.
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