Level 1 was dated by Schuetz to ca. 1905, when DRT maintenance began. Level 2, containing black soil and layers of cinders, represented the era of civilian occupation of the site. Level 3 included a pavement of caliche and gravel from the occupation by the U.S. Army, dated by an array of military artifacts of the period. Level 4, consisting of loose brown soil containing Spanish colonial ceramics and other artifacts, was generally about two feet below the present surface. Two perpendicular stone wall foundations, which aligned with the presently restored walls, were uncovered in this area. Schuetz observed no indications of the fortifications described by Sanchez-Navarro and others anywhere in her excavations.

Each of these excavation projects produced information valuable in planning the present project. Archival documents not available when the earlier excavations were conducted helped in reinterpreting the earlier data.

Methodology and Results

Considerable historical research and careful planning were carried out prior to the initiation of fieldwork in order to obtain the maximum amount of information from the excavation. Decisions on unit placement and evaluation of artifacts and features found during the excavations were based on the historical information. .

As previously discussed, fieldwork was done in two phases. In Phase I, test units were located to provide information about specific architectural features, as well as general information on the construction of the north wall of the patio (Figure 5). Unit A was placed so as to cross the back wall of the Grenet/Hugo and Schmeltzer store. Units B and C were located where we postulated the east and west sides of the entrance gate in the wall once stood. Unit D was planned to cross the location of the inner wall of the warehouse structure which stood inside the north wall and to reveal whether there had been a Spanish building beneath the nineteenth-century warehouse. Unit E was located so as to cross the postulated line of the east wall of the original Spanish convento.

Based on Phase I excavations, we decided to concentrate on the area immediately west of Unit E during Phase II excavations. This area was selected as the one of greatest interest because so many structures and property lines had cornered here through the history of the mission, and any damage done by present construction might well destroy critical information. In addition, we hoped an explanation would be found for the many enigmatic features seen in Unit E.

To correspond as much as possible to the work done in 1966 and 1973, measurements were made in feet and inches. To avoid confusion, measurements included in this report are presented in English rather than metric units.

In total, seven separate units were excavated to sterile soil at 40-48 inches. All soil was screened through l/4-inch mesh, except where noted in this report, and standard archaeological procedures were followed in all field and laboratory work. Detailed methodology and results of the excavation are given in the following sections.

A log of all work in progress was kept by the field director, with more detailed individual descriptions done by each excavator when necessary. Sketches, profiles, and plans were made of all excavation units and a complete photographic record was kept in both black-and-white prints and color slides.