Archaeologists excavating at The Alamo have discovered a second cannonball that may date to the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The iron cannonball was unearthed on June 2, just three months after a similar discovery was made at the historic Texas site.
The Alamo Trust, the nonprofit organization overseeing the Alamo Mission, announced the finding on June 16. The cannonball was found outside the northeast corner of the Alamo Church, in an excavation unit adjacent to where another intact cannonball was discovered in March. Both artifacts were found at similar depths.
Archaeologists believe the cannonballs have likely remained undisturbed for nearly 190 years. "So whenever they were dropped, the very first time — possibly in 1836, probably — they haven’t been touched since," Tiffany Lindley, director of archaeology at The Alamo, stated in a press release. "And that’s what makes them extra special."
The battle, a pivotal conflict in Texas history, was fought between Mexican forces and Texian rebels from February 23 to March 6, 1836. The 13-day siege concluded with Mexican troops overwhelming the Texian defenders.
Lindley expressed surprise at the discovery of a second cannonball, noting the site has experienced significant historical use, including occupation by the U.S. military quartermaster and commercial development, which have impacted underground resources. "It was amazing to find one cannonball, and then to follow it up a couple of months later with a second was quite surprising," she told Fox News Digital.
The newly found iron cannonball is not as well-preserved as the first, which was made of solid bronze. However, it is still in good condition. Researchers hope to send both artifacts for conservation.
While the team searches for more artifacts related to the Battle of the Alamo, excavations are yielding numerous historical finds daily. "We are finding dozens of exciting historic artifacts every day, along with hundreds of maybe not so exciting artifacts, like nails and brick," Lindley said. "We find what gets left behind, and often that means broken and discarded items."
Lindley emphasized that the cannonball is "one small part in this project," and that analysis of excavated data will offer valuable insights into the daily lives of the site's former inhabitants after the excavations conclude.