Overview
The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is actively involved in the discovery, documentation, and preservation of archaeological resources in the City of San Antonio and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. A total of over 2300 archaeological sites have been recorded in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County.
As required through federal, state, or local laws and regulations, certain construction projects are reviewed to assess potential impacts to archaeological sites. Examples of such investigations include the excavations at San Pedro Springs Park, Main Plaza, Hemisfair Park, Brackenridge Park, and Plaza de Armas. These reviews facilitate the development of each respective project while also helping to preserve the diverse cultural fabric of San Antonio. The City of San Antonio’s city ordinance, the Unified Development Code, represents some of the strongest preservation laws in the country for the conservation of cultural resources, including protection measures for archaeological sites.
In addition to project reviews, the OHP sponsors education and outreach archaeology-related events throughout the year, especially for Texas Archeology Month and National Archeology Day in October.
History & Context
Recorded archaeological sites reflect the rich and diverse cultural heritage in San Antonio. Learn more about the people and cultures who have lived in the area for millennia.
Reports
Archaeology reports subject to review by the OHP are made available to the public online. These reports exemplify just a sampling of the rich archaeological history in the City of San Antonio. Archaeological site location information is redacted in accordance with the Texas Antiquities Code. View the archaeology reports here.
Acequia Maps
Acequias were vital to the development and endurance of San Antonio. These water features, many of which are Spanish Colonial in age, were initially constructed to provide irrigation to agricultural lands surrounding the Missions and Villa. Today, most of the acequias are buried, with the majority having been filled in around the turn of the 20th century. However, their impact still resonates to this day. Many property lines and roads, especially in the downtown area, were positioned on, or adjacent to, an acequia alignment. Moreover, their significance is evidenced by their various historic designations on the local, state, and federal levels. View the Acequia Maps here.
Additional Resources
Don’t forget, Texas Archeology Month is celebrated every year during the month of October!
City Archaeologist Contact Information
Matthew Elverson
City Archaeologist
210.207.5421
Shawn Marceaux
City Archaeologist
210.207.7306