Archaeologists Discover Four Alamo Battle Cannonballs

The 1836 projectiles were unearthed during a major excavation project near the historic San Antonio site.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Historical

Gouache-painted illustration of two rusted iron cannonballs and limestone on cracked dry earth, representing an archaeological discovery. — Archaeologists in San Antonio have unearthed four 1836-era cannonballs near the Alamo Church, providing significant new evidence of the historic battle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Archaeologists in San Antonio have discovered four cannonballs dating back to the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. These artifacts were found buried two-and-a-half to three feet below the surface near the northeast corner of the Alamo Church.

Why it matters

These rare findings significantly expand the limited physical record of the 1836 battle. Only eight other artifacts in the extensive collection held by The Alamo Trust Inc. are confirmed to originate from the conflict.

The four recovered projectiles consist of three bronze and one iron cannonball, measuring between 1.8 and 3.28 inches in diameter. They were discovered among a massive collection of 500,000 to 750,000 total items unearthed during the excavation.

The players

The Alamo Trust Inc.

This non-profit organization manages the preservation, conservation, and historical interpretation of the historic Alamo site.

The details

Researchers identified the objects by analyzing soil layers and projectile trajectory patterns. The excavation team spent over a year working around the church site to ensure the preservation and proper cataloging of the historical finds.

The Battle of the Alamo occurred in 1836.
Excavation work began at the site in March 2025.
The first cannonball was discovered on March 5, 2026.
Excavation work concluded in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The discovery of these artifacts marks a rare moment of physical validation for the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, bridging the gap between historical narrative and material evidence. Such findings illustrate a shift toward rigorous, modern archaeological verification at historically significant sites.

Residents and visitors to San Antonio can expect a more detailed historical narrative when touring the Alamo grounds as these artifacts are integrated into the collection. The find underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve the site's rich history for future generations.

The takeaway

This discovery serves as a reminder that even well-documented historical sites often hold hidden physical clues waiting to be found. By utilizing modern excavation techniques, researchers can continue to refine our collective understanding of pivotal events from the past.