Article Title

Archaeology at the Alamodome: Investigations of a San Antonio Neighborhood in Transition, Volume I: Historical, Architectural, and Oral History Research

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.1997.1.14

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. This volume, the first of the series, contains the background research results, including chapters on the historical setting, the architecture present before demolition was begun, the oral history, a study of the African-American community, and a summary of the structural evolution of the area. Volume n contains a complete description of the archaeological excavations and a distributional analysis of the results. Included are numerous maps, drawings, and photographs of the work in progress. Volume ill is comprised of individual reports on the description and analysis of various types of arifactual 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, cisterns, acequias, and privies, and an analysis of the faunal materials.

The temporal scope of these studies is the lOO-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, seriously 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 I

The chapters in this volume contain the results of research into the history of the Alamodome area and the people who lived there. This compiled information was used to make informed decisions about which areas would yield information of importance in understanding and reconstructing on paper the neighborhood that was about to be eliminated, so that its history would not be completely lost. It has also been invaluable in understanding the results of the archaeology reported in Volumes II and III.

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