Archaeological Monitoring for Enlargement of a Drainage Swale at Mission San Francisco de la Espada, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Abstract

On May 2, 2016, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) monitored the enlargement of a drainage swale at Mission San Francisco de la Espada, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Mission Espada is a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Project Archaeologist Stephen Smith monitored excavations for the enlargement, and Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as the Principal Investigator. CAR recommends to the project sponsor and Archeology Division of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) no further archaeological investigation of the project area. This recommendation is based on CAR’s negative findings during the monitoring and because the project sponsor plans no additional ground disturbances. Though no further work is recommended at this time, it is known that Mission Espada and the surrounding area contains important archaeological resources. Therefore, archaeological monitoring and/or investigation should precede any future ground-disturbing activities in the area.