Cannonballs unearthed at Alamo nearly 200 years after deadly siege

Archaeologists in San Antonio, Texas, have announced the discovery of two solid cannonballs from the Battle of the Alamo — each offering new physical evidence of the historic battle.The discovery, made along the perimeter of Alamo Church in San Antonio, was announced in late October.Officials from the Alamo Trust said the cannonballs were uncovered during ongoing archaeological excavations at the site, and that they “help us remember those individuals that were living here, during the battle,” said Tiffany Lindley, head archaeologist at the Alamo Trust. The solid-shot cannonballs vary in size, with the smaller measuring 1.8 inches in diameter and the larger measuring 3.26 inches. The measurements correspond to 1-pounder and 6-pounder cannons, respectively.The discovery follows two other finds made earlier this year: a 4-pounder cannonball found in March, on the eve of the battle’s 190th anniversary, and a 6-pounder cannonball found in June.The total number of cannonballs found is now four.Photos show archaeologists carefully cleaning the newly discovered cannonballs, which appear heavily weathered and discolored.The Battle of the Alamo was one of the most important events in Texas history.The engagement lasted from Feb.

23 to March 6, 1836.It saw Texian forces — including Davy Crockett and William B.

Travis — hold off a much larger Mexican army.The 13-day siege ended with Mexican troops overrunning the Texian defenders, a loss that became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution.The discoveries raise a question: Which army fired the cannonballs?Lindley of the Alamo Trust told Fox News Digital the answer is a bit complicated.“We have a good idea [of] three of the cannonballs … They were bronze cannonballs, and that was a type of material used by the Mexican army, so they may have originated with the Mexican army,” she said.She noted, however, that the cannonballs could have been picked up by the Alamo’s defenders or others before the battle, so...