Intact Alamo Cannonball Unearthed Before 190th Battle Anniversary

A four-pound bronze cannonball, believed to be from the Mexican army, has been unearthed at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, just one day before the 190th anniversary of the battle. The discovery, made during ongoing preservation function, offers a tangible link to the pivotal 1836 conflict that claimed the lives of figures like Davy Crockett, William Travis, and James Bowie. Archaeologists describe the find as exceptionally rare, given its intact condition and the “clean deposit” in which it was found, suggesting minimal disturbance since the siege.

A Tangible Connection to the Siege

The cannonball was discovered approximately three feet below the surface near the northeast corner of the Alamo Church, a site that was part of the original Spanish mission. Excavations in this area are part of a larger, $550 million preservation and expansion effort known as the Alamo Plan. Dr. Tiffany Lindley, the Alamo’s director of archaeology, shared the news on the Alamo’s podcast, “Stories Bigger than Texas,” on March 19th, expressing her astonishment at the find. “I have chills now just thinking about it,” she said, recalling the moment the artifact was revealed.

The significance of the cannonball lies not only in its age but likewise in its material. Kolby Lanham, the Alamo’s senior researcher and historian, explained that the Mexican Army primarily used bronze cannonballs, although the Texan defenders largely relied on iron. This detail suggests the projectile was fired by Mexican forces during the 12-day siege. Lanham described the moment of discovery as holding “a literal artifact from the Battle of the Alamo…for the first time since the battle happened.”

Beyond the Ball: Context from the Battlefield

The discovery wasn’t an isolated one. Alongside the intact cannonball, archaeologists also recovered four fragments of exploding shot – three bronze and one iron – believed to be from howitzer rounds used during the siege. Researchers are now undertaking metallurgical tests and trajectory modeling to determine the size, launch points, and likely impact locations of these projectiles. This analysis aims to provide a more detailed understanding of the bombardment the Alamo endured.

The Battle of the Alamo, fought from February 23 to March 6, 1836, was a crucial event in the Texas Revolution. Thousands of Mexican troops, led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna, surrounded the Alamo, which was defended by approximately 180 Texan rebels. The Mexican army ultimately overwhelmed the defenders, killing all of them. The battle became a rallying cry for Texan independence, with soldiers later shouting “Remember the Alamo!” during subsequent skirmishes. As Live Science details, the conflict stemmed from Anglo-American settlers in Texas seeking secession from the Republic of Mexico.

The Importance of ‘Clean Deposits’ in Archaeological Interpretation

What sets this discovery apart is the condition of the cannonball and the nature of the soil in which it was found. Archaeologists refer to such undisturbed layers as “clean deposits,” meaning the artifact hasn’t been significantly moved or altered by subsequent activity. This provides a stronger connection between the cannonball and the events of March 1836. The exceptional preservation is also noteworthy, given that the object has been buried for nearly two centuries.

The ongoing archaeological work at the Alamo is part of a broader effort to understand the site’s 300-year history. The Alamo Trust, Inc. offers behind-the-scenes tours led by Dr. Lindley, providing insights into recent discoveries and future excavation plans. These efforts aim to reveal a more complete picture of the Alamo’s past, beyond the well-known narrative of the 1836 battle.

What’s Next for the Alamo’s Archaeological Research

The team is currently focused on analyzing the recovered cannonball fragments and conducting further research to determine the precise trajectory of the projectiles. This involves a combination of metallurgical analysis, which can reveal the composition of the metal and potentially its origin, and trajectory modeling, which uses mathematical calculations to estimate the firing point and impact location. These findings will contribute to a more detailed understanding of the battle’s dynamics and the weaponry used by both sides.

The Alamo Plan, a comprehensive preservation and expansion project, will continue to drive archaeological investigations at the site. As new artifacts are unearthed, they will undoubtedly shed further light on the Alamo’s complex history and its enduring significance in Texas and American culture. The ongoing work underscores the importance of archaeological research in preserving and interpreting historical sites for future generations.