Archeological Test Excavations in Areas to be Affected by a Proposed French Drain West of the Granary, Mission San Jose State Site (41BX3), Bexar County, Texas

Abstract

Limited archeological test excavations were conducted along the west wall of the granary at Mission San Jose State Historic Site (41BX3) in Bexar County, Texas, during July and August, 1979. The investigations were designed to provide information regarding the presence or absence of significant archeological materials in areas to be affected by the construction of a proposed French drain intended to relieve moisture-related structural problems along the west wall of the granary. six 0.5 by 1 meter test pits were excavated; 1,303 artifacts and 1,809 bone and shell fragments were recovered. Seven features were documented; these included a wall and a flagstone floor remnant, 4 pits and a lime filled trench. The wall and floor may represent the remains of a Spanish Colonial blacksmith shop while the pits probably originated during the late 19th Century. The artifacts are primarily trash resulting from nearly 240 years of activity at the mission complex although some items may be relatable to the smithy. Two alternatives for the proposed construction are suggested: 1) abandon plans for a French drain and develop an alternate non-disruptive method for relying moisture problems; or, 2) continue plans for constructing a French drain but precede the modifications with an intensive program of archeological excavations in a broad area along the west wall of the granary.