Article Title

Archaeology at the Alamodome: Investigations of a San Antonio Neighborhood in Transition, Volume II: Excavations and Artifact Distribution Analysis

Authors

Anne A. Fox, Center for Archaeological ResearchFollow
Marcie Renner, Center for Archaeological Research
Robert J. Hard, Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow

Agency

Center for Archaeological Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21112/ita.1997.1.13

Abstract

Because of the tremendous scope of the archaeological work and the associated analysis and write-up, the results of the Alamodome Project are presented in three volumes. Volume I contains the background research results, including chapters on the historical setting, the architecture present before demolition began, the oral histories, a study of the black community, and a summary of the structural evolution of the area. This volume, the second of the series, contains a complete description of the archaeological excavations and a distributional analysis of the results, written by Kenneth Wright, the archaeologist in charge of the fieldwork. Also included in Volume II are a study of the site formation processes, undertaken by Kevin Gross, and a geomorphic description of the project area, by Michael Collins. Volume III is comprised of individual reports on the description and analysis of various types of artifactual materials recovered during the project, including ceramics, glass, kitchen and tablewares, dolls and toys, marbles, clothing and personal items, and building materials. Also included in this volume are descriptions and discussions of excavated wells, acequias, and privies and an analysis of the faunal materials.

The temporal scope of these studies is the 100-year period from 1850 to 1950. This time frame encompasses the period directly after the end of SpanishlMexican control and the gradual rise of Anglo/German control of the local economy and sociopolitical structure. It is also the time during which the first wave of the Industrial Revolution arrived in Texas, dramatically impacting the history of San Antonio. One goal of the project was to study this impact on the economic and cultural life of one small sector of the city.

Scope of Volume II

The primary objectives of Volume IT are threefold: 1) To describe excavations carried out within the construction area for the Alamodome. Within this objective will be covered structural and stratigraphic evidence to support changes in the use of space, and development of activity areas on the various sites examined over time. 2) To observe the frequencies of major artifact groups derived from the excavation of these sites and, through a pattern recognition process, to develop models relating to the socioeconomic status of the people living within the area and to the site formation processes operating there. 3) To evaluate the effectiveness of Sanborn maps as archaeological tools.

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