MENU
  • Loading ...
  • Loading ...

QLD Tourism

Latest News QLD Tourism

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

 

Cannonball 'very likely' fired in 1836 Battle of the Alamo found buried near church

04 Apr 2026 By foxnews

Cannonball 'very likely' fired in 1836 Battle of the Alamo found buried near church

Archaeologists have uncovered a historic cannonball at the Alamo - an artifact that was likely fired during the 1836 battle.

The discovery was announced by the Alamo Trust, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Alamo Mission, on March 19.

The cannonball was uncovered on March 5 - just one day before the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.

LEGENDARY CAPTAIN WHO INSPIRED 'THE THREE MUSKETEERS' MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER CHURCH ALTAR

The clash was fought between Mexican forces and Texian rebels, and began on Feb. 23, 1836.

Texian forces - including Davy Crockett and William B. Travis - held off a much larger Mexican army during a 13-day siege before Mexican troops launched a final assault.

Nearly all the roughly 200 Texian defenders were killed as Mexican forces overran the Alamo - and the "Remember the Alamo!" cry helped fuel a decisive Texian victory weeks later at San Jacinto.

The cannonball, which was found around three feet below the ground outside the Alamo Church, weighs four pounds.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Researchers also found four exploding shot fragments - three bronze and one iron - identified as Howitzer rounds designed to explode on impact and scatter shrapnel.

The cannonball is made of solid bronze and was "very likely" tied to the historic battle, said Tiffany Lindley, the director of archaeology at the Alamo.

Lindley told Fox News Digital the cannonball was found in a layer that dates back to the siege, with the Mexican Army bombarding Texian forces from an artillery battery on the northeast side of the compound.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

She emphasized that the artifact's significance lies in its status as the only solid shot - or nonexplosive cannonball - of its size found at the site.

"Due to significant utilization of the site post-battle, the looting of the site in the immediate period following the battle, and previous utility installation, many artifacts - especially those this large - were taken off site," said Lindley. 

"Once an artifact is removed from its original deposition, it loses its context and, for researchers, it becomes less significant. … The context of this solid shot is what makes the find significant."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Researchers at the site will analyze the cannonball once fieldwork wraps up, and the cannonball may be displayed in the future.

"We hope as our archaeological project progresses to find a place to display the cannonball on site - perhaps even in our future world-class Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2028," said Lindley.

The cannonball joins over 250,000 artifacts found at the site, the expert added, which mostly include ceramic pieces, musket balls, adobe floor fragments and glass bottles.

"While not every artifact will find its way to public display, they all contribute to expanding the story of the Alamo," she noted.

More News

Booking.com
AI needs more power: Offices could be the answer
AI needs more power: Offices could be the answer
Amazon job text scam warning signs
Amazon job text scam warning signs
Construction crew unearths surprising 300-year-old cannon while digging in historic city
Construction crew unearths surprising 300-year-old cannon while digging in historic city
American tourists warned of arrest, jail time for taking photos, pocketing souvenirs in locale
American tourists warned of arrest, jail time for taking photos, pocketing souvenirs in locale
White House Egg Roll for Easter features Trump family members amid festive celebration
White House Egg Roll for Easter features Trump family members amid festive celebration
Mauro compares Iran rescue of missing colonel to Maduro capture, credits intelligence preparation
Mauro compares Iran rescue of missing colonel to Maduro capture, credits intelligence preparation
'The View' co-host claims show's criticism of having children was 'misconstrued'
'The View' co-host claims show's criticism of having children was 'misconstrued'
Tyler Robinson defense asks court to bar cameras for next in-person hearing
Tyler Robinson defense asks court to bar cameras for next in-person hearing
Officials slam hospital food as health experts demand menu overhaul: 'Farm to gurney'
Officials slam hospital food as health experts demand menu overhaul: 'Farm to gurney'
'Brady Bunch' star says he went 'fully off the rails' in his 20s after growing up on hit show
'Brady Bunch' star says he went 'fully off the rails' in his 20s after growing up on hit show
DHS slams 'insane' 5-year plea deal for illegal immigrants who admitted fatal stabbing in Virginia
DHS slams 'insane' 5-year plea deal for illegal immigrants who admitted fatal stabbing in Virginia
UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men's basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report
UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men's basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report
Terry Crews' wife reveals she battled Parkinson's in secret for years before finding hope in new treatment
Terry Crews' wife reveals she battled Parkinson's in secret for years before finding hope in new treatment
Democrats face backlash over 'nepo-candidate' scourge, 'noxious' McAuliffe family congressional bid
Democrats face backlash over 'nepo-candidate' scourge, 'noxious' McAuliffe family congressional bid
Murder suspect on ICE hold accused of luring teen into death trap where victim's final plea went unheard
Murder suspect on ICE hold accused of luring teen into death trap where victim's final plea went unheard
Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby
Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby
13 laundry essentials that save time and money - starting at $3
13 laundry essentials that save time and money - starting at $3
'Deadliest Catch' deckhand cause of death revealed
'Deadliest Catch' deckhand cause of death revealed
Flight passengers slam airlines for pushing early bag checks even with empty bins on board
Flight passengers slam airlines for pushing early bag checks even with empty bins on board
Jason Day already told to tone down his bird-themed Malbon Golf outfits at Masters: report
Jason Day already told to tone down his bird-themed Malbon Golf outfits at Masters: report
Latest News

copyright © 2026 QLD Tourism.   All rights reserved.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z