ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Archaeologists Unearth Intact Mexican Army Cannonball at Alamo Site During Renovations

cultural-heritage · 2026-03-25

Archaeologists in San Antonio, Texas, discovered a fully intact four-pound bronze cannonball near the Alamo Church on March 5, 2026, one day before the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. The projectile was found buried three feet deep during ongoing renovations at the historic site. Researchers believe it was likely fired by Mexican forces during the 1836 siege, based on its bronze composition and location. The discovery was made by archaeologists from the Alamo Trust, including director Tiffany Lindley and historian Kolby Lanham, who expressed astonishment at handling an artifact directly linked to the pivotal conflict. This find adds to recent archaeological discoveries at the site, including four exploding shot fragments from Mexican howitzer guns. The $550 million renovation project includes constructing new visitor facilities and preserving the UNESCO World Heritage site, which attracts over 1.6 million annual visitors.

Key facts

  • Archaeologists discovered an intact four-pound bronze cannonball at the Alamo site on March 5, 2026
  • The cannonball was likely fired by Mexican forces during the 1836 Battle of the Alamo
  • Discovery occurred during a $550 million renovation project at the historic site
  • Researchers also found four exploding shot fragments from Mexican howitzer guns in the past year
  • The Alamo is a UNESCO World Heritage site attracting over 1.6 million visitors annually

Entities

Institutions

  • Alamo Trust, Inc.
  • UNESCO

Locations

  • San Antonio, Texas
  • Alamo Church

Sources