Archaeologists in San Antonio, Texas, have announced the discovery of two solid cannonballs from the Battle of the Alamo, providing further physical evidence of the historic 1836 conflict. The cannonballs were unearthed near the Alamo Church during ongoing archaeological excavations.
According to the Alamo Trust, the smaller cannonball measures 1.8 inches in diameter, corresponding to a 1-pounder cannon, while the larger measures 3.26 inches, indicative of a 6-pounder cannon. These finds follow two other cannonball discoveries earlier in the year: a 4-pounder in March and another 6-pounder in June, bringing the total to four.
The cannonballs were found alongside other artifacts such as musket balls and gun parts in soil layers that indicate their age aligns with the 1836 battle. Historians suggest the artifacts were likely found near a Mexican cannon position outside the Alamo, where cannons would have been firing toward the church.
Tiffany Lindley, head archaeologist at the Alamo Trust, noted that while three of the cannonballs are bronze, a material used by the Mexican army, it remains possible they were utilized by either side. Defenders could have acquired and used them before or during the siege. The depth of the soil layer and the presence of other battle-related items help archaeologists link the artifacts to the event.
Lindley highlighted that the extensive excavation area has contributed to the increased number of discoveries. She stated that these finds offer tangible pieces of evidence from the battle, honoring the memories of those who were there.
The Battle of the Alamo, which took place from February 23 to March 6, 1836, was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. It involved Texian defenders holding out against a significantly larger Mexican army, ultimately ending with the overrun of the defenders and serving as a rallying cry for Texan independence.