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Archaeologists in San Antonio, Texas, have announced the discovery of four solid cannonballs from the Battle of the Alamo — each offering new physical evidence of the historic battle.
The discovery, made along the perimeter of Alamo Church in San Antonio, was announced in late October.
Officials from the Alamo Trust said the cannonballs were uncovered during ongoing archaeological excavations at the site, and that they “help us remember those individuals that were living here, during the battle,” said Tiffany Lindley, head archaeologist at the Alamo Trust.
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The four solid-shot cannonballs vary in size, with the smallest measuring 1.8 inches in diameter and the largest measuring 3.26 inches.
The measurements correspond to 1-pounder and 6-pounder cannons, respectively.
Archaeologists at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, uncovered four solid cannonballs, with one seen at left. They’re believed to be connected to the historic 1836 battle. (The Alamo Trust; Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
The discovery follows two other finds made earlier this year: a 4-pounder cannonball found in March, on the eve of the battle’s 190th anniversary, and a 6-pounder cannonball found in June.
Photos show archaeologists carefully cleaning the newly discovered cannonballs, which appear heavily weathered and discolored.
The Battle of the Alamo was one of the most important events in Texas history.
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The engagement lasted from Feb. 23 to March 6, 1836. It saw Texian forces — including Davy Crockett and William B. Travis — hold off a much larger Mexican army.
The 13-day siege ended with Mexican troops overrunning the Texian defenders, a loss that became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution.
The Battle of the Alamo lasted from Feb. 23 to March 6, 1836. It ended when Mexican forces overran the Texian defenders. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; The Alamo Trust)
The discoveries raise a question: Which army fired the cannonballs?
Lindley of the Alamo Trust told Digital the answer is a bit complicated.
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“We have a good idea [of] three of the cannonballs. … They were bronze cannonballs, and that was a type of material used by the Mexican army, so they may have originated with the Mexican Army,” she said.
“They would have been shooting toward the church in this area.”
She noted, however, that the cannonballs could have been picked up by the Alamo’s defenders or others before the battle, so either side may have used them.
Determining whether the cannonballs were connected to the battle is more straightforward.
The cannonball shown above “is still in pretty good condition,” said the director of archaeology at the Alamo Trust. (Alamo Trust)
Lindley said archaeologists can link the artifacts to the battle through several lines of evidence, including the layers of soil in which they were found, plus other objects recovered nearby.
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The same soil deposit contained musket balls and gun parts, while its depth suggested the artifacts were older than others found in layers above it.
Lindley said historians helped archaeologists determine that the cannonballs were likely found near a Mexican cannon position outside the Alamo.
The discovery of four cannonballs along the perimeter of Alamo Church offers new physical evidence of one of Texas’ most significant battles. (The Alamo Trust)
“They would have been shooting toward the church in this area,” she said.
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Lindley, who said she was unaware of any solid cannonballs previously found at the site, attributed the recent discoveries largely to the size of the excavation area.
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“We have a very large area that we’re excavating. And whenever you are digging more, you have more of a chance to find more artifacts,” she said.
Tiffany Lindley, seen above, said some of the cannonballs may have originated with Mexican forces, although their use remains uncertain. (The Alamo Trust)
For Lindley, the discovery also puts a tangible piece of the 1836 battle into the hands of modern-day archaeologists.
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“Now we have a physical piece of evidence of the sacrifice” made here by those who lived during the battle, she said — “and their memories [have] lived on.”
