Archaeologists discover new ruins of Alamo complex

Adobe wall found less than two feet underground, team says

SAN ANTONIO – Archaeologists dusted off a bit more of the Alamo's history with the recent discovery of the ruins of an adobe brick wall.

The team was searching for the south and west walls of the historic mission on Friday, when they discovered large adobe bricks in the spot where they expected to find the west wall of the complex along Alamo Street.

The find was announced on Monday morning, but the team said they are unsure exactly to which part of the complex the bricks belong.

"What we do know is we have an adobe brick wall feature and that it is related to the structure somehow that was here," said lead archaeologist Nesta Anderson. "That could include the outer wall of the compound, but it could also include some of the rooms where the Native Americans lived outside the wall."

The adobe bricks were discovered less than 23 inches below the flagstone sidewalk. City Archaeologist Kay Hindes was excited the bricks were preserved.

"We know from the archival records that back in the early 1700s when they were constructing the adobe, in many cases it would melt," she said.

The archaeological team is attempting to find the boundaries of the Alamo compound. Anderson said they will study archival maps and other data they receive from the dig to determine what purpose the wall served.

Whatever the wall was, its discovery will further the team's knowledge of the compound.

"Depending on how many courses of brick, that might tell us a little about the architecture that was being used, regardless of which wall we are looking at." Anderson said.

The team only has a few square feet of the wall uncovered. Their main focus in the coming weeks will be on discovering more about the wall, but also on work at the second dig site on the other side of Alamo Street, which will continue in the meantime.


About the Authors:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.